P&B Phantom National Championship 2026 at Tenby Sailing Club - Runners & Riders
by Mark Spruce 21 Aug 12:39 PDT
3-6 September 2026
It's an odd time for your humble turf accountant and sailing raconteur. Some say the country is going to the dogs and, sadly for me, Walthamstow lost the dogs some years ago.
As I sit in my customary window seat in the back bar of the Muzzle & Leash Pub, I no longer see Northampton Phantom Sailors in rain coats and dark sunglasses following Essex woman in leopard print pyjamas visiting the adult shop opposite. Sadly, like many retailers and bookmakers, all their business has gone online and the shop front is a mere façade for something more nefarious (once again, I am definitely in the wrong business!).
With rheumy eyes, I shift my aching leg and dodgy hip, reminisce and wonder if this will be my last involvement with the stars of the sailing world and the Event of the Year - The 2026 Pinnell & Bax Phantom National Championships at Tenby Sailing Club (3rd - 6th September 2026).
The old Dad Bod is not what it once was with my liver now getting more exercise than my legs; I am even contemplating a new Ovington Boats drop-floor Phantom but it will take a big win on the Gee-Gees or a lucky win on this event to be able to afford it.
Business is slow, retirement looms. I now have a permanent ban from the whole of Cheltenham Race Course. My Passport is still being held by the authorities in the, little-known, European Principality of Riva del Montagnarde en Dolomiti following my indiscretion in January with both 18-year-old twin daughters and the aged mother of the Marquesa, the Duchess - she doesn't appear to be very happy about missing out and becoming a 2-time grandmother shortly after the nationals?
But, I digress, to the job in hand.... Sprucey's Runners & Riders form guide for the 2026 P&B Phantom National Championships!
This year's Nationals are shaping up to be a fantastic event - current entries stand at 50 (with plenty of time for more) which is definitely bucking the trend of low turnouts in many other classes. Ten races planned over four days in a fantastic venue. A really active social program with breakfast rolls, post-race pasty and pints and superb evening entertainment, it promises to be a great event and holiday for sailors and supporters alike.
Where to start? Let's look at my Top Ten - actually Top 11 as I couldn't differentiate between two sailors!
First the customary disclaimer - as brilliant as I now am at this job, any monies invested on my advice is done so entirely at your own risk and there will be absolutely no refunds under any circumstances. Class Association members and friends of the class will get favourable odds if money is sent through my (turf) accountancy firm - www.betandgetfleecedbythephantomfirman@mybankaccount.holidayfund.nongov.ng
1st - It has to be "The Man" - Jon Rickard from Hooe Point SC, Plymouth. Current Champion, he's already knocked in some notable results at the Inlands and Lee on Solent where he again took the win. He's tall, strong and impressively fast in a breeze. He develops so much power keeping his boat flat upwind that he's pulled his spreader bracket down the mast not once but twice!
I'm offering 2:1 against.
2nd - Only one guy I could add here - Nick Orman from Castle Cove SC. In the words of one J. Clarkson "Some say that".... he was a very popular and gracious, narrow runner up last year. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride - I think this year will be his year. He has all the tools to finish the job and finally be Numero Uno - raw natural boat speed, good starting & tactics and blistering fast down wind. Like another famous sailor, he is angry".... and you don't want to make me angry!". He's also got all the right gear - fast boat, fast car, fast bike and fast, designer clothes. I can't see him missing this one but I'm not sure the good folk of Tenby will appreciate or understand those brand labels?
I'm offering 2:1 on.
3rd - this is a hard one to call but I swung for the new boy in an old man's boat, Rob Richardson from South Shields, north of the Tyne. Ovington Boat's jockey, current Musto Skiff World Champion and second on count back at the recent Lee on Solent Super Series event. He's learning fast and improving with every race. His new, drop floored Phantom was admired by so many oldies, he's at serious risk of winning a discount from SAGA holidays.
I'll offer 3:1
4th - Sam Coxon from Chase SC. The Mr Miyagi-Do and fitness guru to the star sailors of the class. The Master is going to have his work cut out to stay ahead of his pupils! "Wax on - wax off" - should certainly help his distinctive grey hull slice through the waves. That and the fact that he is the fittest and hardest hiking sailor in the fleet. He's always up there and could have been top 3 at Lee on Solent but for gear breakage. I can't separate him from Rob Richardson so am offering the same odds. Let battle commence!
I'll offer 3:1
4th = - Ben Dancer from Llandegfedd SC in Wales. Another Sports Science graduate and fitness guru, Ben is hard worker and driver of the boat. Previously never out of the top 10 at the Nationals, I'm backing him for a top 5 this year and higher if its windy. A bit inconsistent this season, he's been trying different gear. If he gets his basic set-up right, has confidence with it and especially if he trims that drag-inducing beard, he could, like at Sunderland, be real threat for the top spot again.
Like Sam & Rob - 3:1
6th - I have high hopes for our class chairman Rob Cook from Northampton SC. This year, he seems more relaxed, enjoying his sailing. He's had opportunity to sail a bit more and he's getting the better results he should be. Now also a yacht owner, like most Oligarchs he is forced to keep it outside UK jurisdiction. The only issue is the split personality in his clothing choice. He sports the modern, hooded condom dinghy top and that really doesn't match the de-rigeur, regulation Salmon Pink yachting trousers all yacht owners and gentleman of his age must wear by law!
A good buy at 5:1
7th - but should he be higher - Will Gulliver from Northampton SC. A killer both on and off the water in his day job, he's skilled at dispatching all the pesky critters that attempt to get in his way. If it blows, he'll be up there fighting for the overall and he has a deceptive turn of speed downwind for a big man. Been a bit busy over the summer so not has as much time in the boat as he could - if he sails well and gets some luck he could podium.
I'm offering 12:1 to win and 7:1 for an each-way bet to podium.
8th - John "Titch" Wayling. The little man packing a big punch with his red themed Phloosie. I am not making fun of Titch. He has forgotten more about Phantom sailing than I've ever learned and most of that was from him. He is Mr Consistency; always one of the quickest boats, always set up right, always going the right way, always there in the top 10. My only concern is the effect of a happy retirement and the onset of age on his wardrobe. He too was recently spotted on a big yacht in foreign waters and may also turn up wearing boat-matching, salmon pink leg wear and a Captain's hat alongside his other Northampton SC team members.
Odds are 8:1 if its lighter - 10:1 in a big air regatta.
9th - My dark horse for the top 10 is very often overlooked but when you look back at the results you wonder why you discounted him? Its John Harrison from Rudyard Lake SC. This smaller stature, quiet man of the class let's his sailing do the talking and that shouts very loud! He smiles a lot but I think that's the smile of an assassin! 10th across a range of conditions in 2025, look out for him ahead of you at mark 1 and follow - you're unlikely to go the wrong way.
I have him on 10:1
10th - Another, not so quiet, man is Alex Carr from Torpoint Mosquito YC. And just like a mosquito he's always buzzing around me on the race course - these days, more often in front of me than behind. He's been moving up the rankings year on year. The karate kid to Mr Myagi-Do, he's been following the Master's Wax on - Wax off training plan in his ship's officer cabin over the winter and has invested in a newer boat. Young, fit and annoyingly fast in the breeze, he's posted some good results this year, especially at Lee. Needs to work on his light-airs performance.
Offering 12:1 to win - 8:1 top 5 if its windy.
11th - Last but not least is that Man of Kent - Paddy Denby. Paddy, one half of the Broadstairs SC mafia, has shown an impressive return to form this season. He's posted some strong results in the East Coast regattas incl. 2nd at Creeksea. If it's a windy regatta, he'll be right up there.
Offering same as Alex Carr - 12:1
Next slots on the leaderboard
OK, those are my predictions for the mirror-gazing, glory boys but what about the rest?
There are a number of sailors who I think will fill the next 5 spots. On their day, all can easily break into the top 10. What they need is confidence and consistency - the fact they are not referenced above shows just how strong the top of the fleet has become. Some may feel their exclusion from the top 10 could be controversial; buy me a decent red and let's discuss!
I'm offering 15:1 on all.
Chris Yelland - my bête noire /nemesis from Lee on Solent SC. 10th at Lyme Regis in 2022 he's now a changed man. Down to 95kg, fitter and with a newer 1400s boat, this naturally gifted sailor is now relaxed, fit and enjoying his sailing. Fast downwind, he's become a real threat again. Out of practice in big fleets, if he can get off the start cleanly, he'll be a real threat.
Richard Nurse. Another from the Northampton SC enclave, this is the one occasion when being too happy is perhaps not helping his sailing? New wife, new house, discovering painting & decorating, he's taken a, temporary (?) step back this year. Still fast, winning early season at Bough Beech and 2nd at the Stone Super Series event, he's otherwise been a bit quiet. Very fast downwind, I think he'll be fighting for a spot in the top 10 but the game has moved on - has Nursey?
Simon Hawkes - Castle Cove SC. Mr Super Sailor himself. Multiple National Champion, super-coach and aspiring sailing God; I've learnt more from Hawkesy than any other sailor period, including how to drink single malt and still sail the next day! He has no sailing weakness. Family commitments and a perennial dodgy back have limited his participation this season but he won the 2025 Final Fling beating the National Champ and the runner up only 3 weeks after the Nationals.
Ben Hawkes - Snettisham Beach & RAFSA. Mini Hawksey is physically smaller than Hawksey senior which limits his heavy air performance but he's very good in the light and shifty. This light blue clad, fly-boy could go faster in the breeze if his dad showed him how to set the boat up but after being beaten by the boy at the K1 Nationals last year, I don't think the old man's inclination is there?
Magic Mike Webster - formerly of the parish of Northampton now Castle Cove SC, Magic Mike is coming back physically stronger than ever. He's fast and willie and a shrewd tactician. This veteran smiling assassin knows the boat and I think could be a real threat in the varied conditions expected at Tenby.
Nick Favell - Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC. Another quietly spoken sailor, Nick is a big powerful bloke who will do well if the breeze holds up. He needs space off the line and big open runway but if he gets that he could be in the top 5 at Mark 1 and will hold on downwind after that.
James Wells - Hooe Point SC. Last year, he was sent over by the Merlin Class to investigate Phantoms. I for one regret passing tuning and set-up tips to this newbie in the class - he went on to thrash me, finishing 8th last year! I think his honeymoon period is now over and the top of the fleet is more competitive than ever. Has he spent enough time in the boat to maintain those giddy heights?
One thing is sure - he still thinks he's in a Merlin so don't let him sit in your lee bow off the start!
Mentions in Dispatches
There are always sailors I forget to include - the old memory is not what it used to be - thankfully most of the time as it avoids me having nightmares!
Harry Briddon - ex. National Champion, he is always late to the party and entering but never late to the windward mark - especially if it windy. One to watch if he turns up.
Rumour in the hood talks of one Charlie Cumbley. Another ex. National Champ. Previous OK national, European & World Champion and multiple Go-Slow (sorry, Solo) National Champion there is talk of him borrowing another Welsh sailor's boat to do some North Sails development? Watch this space.
Ed footnote - I understand that Mr Cumbley maybe sending his alter ego and Tenby local boy, Johnny "Guns" Nuttall. An ex. Phantom sailor and good laser sailor he could finish well up the ranking. He needs to be careful though - If Mr C gives him the sail that I think he will, he'll stick out like a very black Bear in the very white Antarctic - watch those starts, Guns!
Speaking of the Welsh, if local boy, Steve Popple can keep the hinges on the door and all his toys in the pram and complete a series, he has good boat, good experience in the class and will be fast in light to medium conditions.
And what about the Woody Prize?
Alan Husk has entered his beautifully restored Claridge Woody # 905. I can't see Class Webmaster Mike Blunt on the list but he my well turn up with classic too. Hope he remembers a rudder retaining device this year?
The club team award?
I'm not offering on Northampton SC holding on to it this year but Castle Cove (Northampton on sea?) may threaten? Good odds for outsiders, Lee on Solent SC. Sprucey, Chris Yelland and, the not yet entered, Ed Child. Every dog has its day!
Well, that's it from your humble scribe. I'm off to make my fortune on this afternoon's 3:30 at Doncaster and Sail GP at Sassnitz. You can get great odds on whether Dylan Fletcher will ever get good start again or who is going to crash into and take out the Black Foils!
Watch these pages for daily updates of the racing and to see if my predictions held up.
As always, these events do not happen without the generosity of our sponsors:
P&B - Chandlery, boat supply and sailmakers
HD Sails - Sailmaker to the Phantom and many other classes
Morgan Sails - Sailmaker to the Phantom and many other classes
Allen Brothers - Proud UK based Sailing Equipment Manufacturer
Optimum Time - manufacture & supply of sailing and equestrian time pieces
Ovington Boats - builder of the Phantom and the new Drop floor Phantom. Other classes are available (but why would you want to?)
Vicky's Embroidery Services - embroidery and clothing supply for sports, workplace and personal clothing.