P&B Phantom National Championship 2026 at Tenby Sailing Club - Day 3

2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby Day 3 © Ester Salpeter

Glamour Saturday Delivers Drama, Recalls, Black Flags and a New Championship Leader

After two days of survival sailing, many in the Phantom fleet were expecting a gentler introduction to Day 3. Following a brief postponement, competitors launched from the picturesque Tenby harbour in shorts and T-shirts under blue skies and warm sunshine. Surely it couldn't be another testing day?

Race Officer Nigel Denchfield and Assistant Race Officer Jo Musson sent the fleet afloat into a light westerly breeze that steadily built as the late morning progressed. By the time racing got under way the wind had swung left, settled enough for racing and produced near perfect conditions for what many sailors would later call a "glamour Saturday - for two races". With three races scheduled, the race team opted for windward-leeward three-lap courses throughout the day.

The racing, however, was anything but straightforward.

Nine Starts, Numerous Black Flags

The story of the day began on the start line. To say the fleet was keen would be an understatement.

Across the three races there were nine starting attempts, multiple general recalls and enough black flags to stock a branch of Jewson's.

The combination of an increasing ebb tide pushing competitors towards the line and a highly competitive fleet made life challenging for both sailors and race officials.

As Nigel Denchfield explained, "The tidal stream was flowing upwind across the line and the increasing strength meant that boats got too near the line too soon. The number of general recalls was frustrating for everyone."

Race 6 - Rickard Edges Richardson

Eventually Race 6 got away on its third attempt, albeit with several boats already making acquaintances with the black flag board.

Rob Richardson rounded the first windward mark ahead of Jon Rickard, and for the next three laps the pair put on a masterclass in Phantom racing. Rickard repeatedly found gains upwind while Richardson clawed them back downwind, the lead changing hands multiple times.

On the final beat Rickard managed to squeeze out just enough advantage to take the win, crossing the line narrowly ahead of Richardson.

Harry Briddon on 2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby Day 3 - photo © Ester Salpeter

Their misfortune promoted fleet turf accountant Mark "Sprucey" Spruce into a well-earned third place.

Race 7 - Denby Dominates

You may be surprised to learn that Race 7 also required three starts.

With the black flag casualty list continuing to grow, Broadstairs sailor Paddy Denby made the cleanest getaway of anyone all day. Rounding first at the windward mark, Denby led throughout and never looked threatened.

Rob Richardson chased hard, while class CEO (Chief Events Officer) Mike Webster enjoyed one of his strongest races of the series in close pursuit, as the man behind the 2026 Nationals in Tenby - Everyone in the fleets is always happy to see Magic Mike on the podium!

The finishing order remained unchanged, with Denby taking an impressive victory ahead of Richardson and Webster.

The result highlighted the remarkable depth of competition at this year's championships. Boats well outside the overall top ten were proving capable of winning races and securing top-three finishes.

Whilst the fleet size may be slightly lower than in previous years, the standard of racing throughout the fleet has arguably never been higher.

2026 P&B Phantom Nationals at Tenby Day 3 - photo © Ester Salpeter

Race 8 - Young Strikes Late

Remarkably, Race 8 also took three attempts to get started.

Several more boats found themselves black flagged, including overnight championship leader Rob Richardson, whose day ended somewhat earlier than planned.

When the fleet finally got away, a significant left-hand wind shift immediately favoured the pin end of the line. Within seconds of the gun much of the fleet was tacking onto port and heading left.

Will Gulliver rounded first at the windward mark and looked well positioned, but the race was far from settled.

As the breeze softened towards the lower limit of racing conditions, pressure became everything. At the bottom gate Rocking Rob Cook, fresh from completing a penalty turn after a Jury yellow-flag, rounded with Titch Wayling and Gavin Young on the right-hand side of the course.

Those choosing the opposite gate, including race leader WIll Gulliver, found themselves parked in rapidly disappearing breeze while the right-hand group connected with a crucial band of pressure and sailed away.

With the wind continuing to fade and the tide strengthening, the race team shortened course after two laps.

Gavin Young emerged victorious, followed by Class Chairman Rob Cook and Phantom legend Titch Wayling, delivering a significant boost to Northampton's push for the club trophy.

Mastering the Conditions

Denchfield and his team had their hands full throughout the day.

"Once the wind arrived it was relatively stable during Race 6, before beginning to shift up to twenty degrees either side of the mean near the end," he said.

Race 6 was sailed on a course axis of 240 degrees, while Race 7 was adjusted to 230 degrees to reflect the changing conditions.

"Race 8 began on 220 degrees but then the wind lurched left midway through the first run. We relaid the windward mark to 200 degrees for the second beat, but by then the shifts had become more random and the wind strength was dropping."

The strengthening ebb tide added another layer of complexity.

"At one point the committee boat completed a full circle while on station," Denchfield noted.

Sunday's forecast suggests a southerly breeze in the region of 15 knots, with a flooding tide expected to run diagonally across the course.

Championship Wide Open Going Into Final Day

After eight races and with discards now in play, the leaderboard received another significant reshuffle.

Rob Richardson's consistency throughout the week, despite his Race 8 black flag, sees the Ovington Boats sailor lead the championship on 15 points.

Jon Rickard sits just two points behind on 17 points after a superb day that included victory in Race 6.

Former leader Harry Briddon drops to third on 24 points but always remains a threat.

Ben Dancer's consistency elevates him to fourth overall, while Sam Coxon rounds out the top five.

With two final races scheduled on Sunday, shifting tides, a fresh forecast and only nine points separating the top three, the 2026 Phantom National Championship remains very much up for grabs.

One thing is certain: if Day 3 taught us anything, it's that nothing comes easily in Tenby.

Results after Day 3: