Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Phantom Midland Series Round 1 at Shustoke Sailing Club

by Jim Hopton 15 Apr 03:50 PDT 13 April 2025
Phantom Midland Series at Shustoke © Ria Burgoine

Five visitors and five locals squared up at Shustoke, sharing the day with the Laser fleet, ready for a full day's racing with the promise of the (apparently) settled westerly breeze steadily building through the day.

30 minutes before the start the wind went on a merry-go-round with an eventual light wind easterly start. The committee boat end appeared favoured, but Steve Ward shunned that opting for clear wind and ghosted around us to reach the first mark at the same time as Adam Froggatt and Andy Pyett, with the rest of the fleet following and on the return leg spreading out for the long run to the other end of the reservoir. Adam had crept ahead down the centre with Steve, Andy, John Tailby and Jim Hopton opting for the edge. Half-way through the leg, the wind filled in from the expected direction and the whole of the Phantom and Laser fleets took Adam's wind leaving him stranded. Jim rounded first and held this to the end of the race, Steve holding second for a while, but eventually losing out to Adam. Early lunch called to let the wind settle and further opportunity to look at John's refurbished 1036. An excellent example of what can be done with an older boat.

For the rest of the day the wind settled into a westerly giving us very long beats. The second race started well with Adam taking an early lead with Jim, Adam, John and local sailor Jaime Cuxson settling into a steady nip and tuck race. At the finish no gun for Adam, the result of missing the gate on one lap, leaving a very close finish between John and Jim, John just taking it. Jamie came in third and Steve fourth.

Going into the last race we had a potential of three winners with Jim and John both having a first and Adam with a second. The race started well with Adam and Jim closely watching each other and being caught out by a wind shift at the mark bringing both Andy Pyett and John into the mix. Downwind, Jim went hunting after Adam to his cost with robust defence and Jim doing a 720...The race concluded with Adam winning, Andy second and Jim third.

My thanks to the race officers of Cole and Olly who delivered and excellent day's racing in difficult conditions.

Next Midland circuit race is at Northampton 26th / 27th April.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3Pts
1st1449Adam FroggattChase SC2(DSQ)13
2nd1492Jim HoptonShustoke SC12‑33
3rd1036John TailbyNotts County SC‑6145
4th1488Andy PyettCombs SC‑5527
5th400Jamie CuxsonShustoke SC43(DNC)7
6th1356Steve WardBartley SC34(DNC)7
7th1347Brian WebleyShustoke SC‑97512
8th1400Pete SmithShustoke SC7‑8613
9th1469Chris BiglinExe SC86(DNC)14
10th1111Lawrence DooleyShustoke SC‑109716

Related Articles

P&B Phantom Nationals 2025 Runners & Riders
Mark Spruce gives us his subjective view of the form guide! Back to the question in hand - who's my money on for this year's Phantom National at Hooe Point SC in the wonderful, ancient Naval and fishing Port of Plymouth? Posted today at 3:44 pm
Burnham Week 2025 Trophy Day
Slingshot wins the Town Cup while Darren Sewell wins the Dinghy Town Cup Nicholas Plank, Slingshot, wins the 2025 edition of the Town Cup, part of Burnham Week 2025, in perfect sailing conditions. Posted on 31 Aug
Phantoms at Burnham Week 2025
Great breeze for the quality fleet of eight helms Once again, I made the 130 mile trek to the East Coast Ditch - sorry, the wonderful river Crouch and its ancient nautical town of Burnham on Crouch in Essex for the annual tide fest that is Burnham Week. Posted on 30 Aug
Burnham Week 2025 Day 6
Sunshine and strong winds made the fleets muster all their technical skills Sunshine and strong winds made the fleets muster all their technical skills on the 6th day of Burnham Week 2025. Posted on 29 Aug
Burnham Week 2025 Day 5
Charlie Matthews wins the John Torrance Trophy Charlie Matthews, sailing a Blaze, won the 2025 edition of John Torrance Trophy, part of Burnham Week 2025. Posted on 28 Aug
Burnham Week 2025 Day 4
Strong winds and sunshine, with a storm passing through Strong winds and sunshine, with a storm passing through, the 4th day of Burnham Week 2025 saw fresh crews refill the ranks as the premier East Coast regatta goes on. Posted on 27 Aug
Burnham Week 2025 Day 3
Town quay was buzzing with activity, with pirates of all ages prowling the streets In what seems like a repeat of last year's Bank Holiday Monday, the third day of Burnham Week 2025 greeted competitors with champagne sailing conditions, while the town quay was buzzing with activity, with pirates of all ages prowling the streets. Posted on 26 Aug
Burnham Week 2025 Day 2
Sunshine and a fancy dress party going on around the 707 fleet Due to an incident on the water, unrelated to the regatta, AP over 1 has been signalled from the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club racebox, the coordination center for safety matters for Burnham Week, postponing the Pile House line starts by 2 hours. Posted on 25 Aug
Burnham Week 2025 Day 1
Perfect sailing conditions, with more than 120 boats taking part The weather gods smiled upon Burnham-on-Crouch and the 2025 edition of Burnham Week started with perfect sailing conditions, with more than 120 boats taking part in the first day of racing. Posted on 24 Aug
Royal Harwich Phantom Open
Preceeded by a walk along the river Orwell to the Butt and Oyster pub As usual the Phantom fleet was made very welcome by the Royal Harwich Yacht Club with most competitors arriving on the Friday afternoon for the traditional walk through the wooded path along the river Orwell to the Butt and Oyster pub at Pinn Mill. Posted on 30 Jul
Palm Beach Motor YachtsRooster 2025Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER