Northern Phantoms

Racing cancelled on Saturday and a drifter on Sunday

The Phantom Northern tour marched on over the weekend of 20-30 May to settle
the Northern Championships at Bala SC. With boats arriving from as far south
as Oxford there was much anticipation as the breeze was blowing a good force
five to six right down the lakes.As the start time approached it was evident that the
breeze was continuing to increase and with gusts in excess of 45 knots
recorded it was obvious that the racing would be abandoned for the day. With
little else to do the fleet returned to the campsite to watch the carnage of
people trying to pitch tents having previously claimed the best spots in the
shelter of the trees.

Lager o'clock came early probably about three pm but most present are a little unsure about the facts, the charge was lead by Colin Barrie and Henry (the cat) Ayres and pretty much the whole fleet convened for a barbecue and lager. The social at the club was a little bit special,having nearly drunk the bar dry at Bassenthwaite there was much to prove and the phantom fleet ably assisted by the Javelin fleet gave it there best shot, a solo rendition of Swing Low Sweet Chariot by The Cat (in mid wales)having stolen the mic from the entertainer and several attempts at "Do you know the way to Ammarillo" went down a storm. The sport was provided by the Javelins with a makeshift bowling alley made by pushing all the tables together, empty Coke cans left by the Miracle fleet and a Sauce bottle acquired from the Galley kept the assembled amused until the early hours of the morning!

And so to the sailing. Sunday dawned light, shifty and best described as snakes and
ladders on water. Race one sawn Peter White get away Chased by Andrew Elliott,
Simon Elliott pulled through to third only to be forced out at the final
leward mark by a horde (Ok three) of FD's along with most of the rest of the
Phantom fleet allowing Henry Ayres to go from zero to hero to take third.

The second race had similar conditions with A Elliott and White taking the lead only
to be caught by S Elliott in personal wind A Elliott hung on with S Elliott
second and White third. The final race turned into a complete drift with
White getting away followed by S Elliott with A Elliott and Chris Whitely
giving chase. S Elliott took the lead at the final mark to win easily with A
Elliott managing to hold off White to take the event.

Results

1-1211-Andrew Elliott
2-1186-Simon Elliott
3-1187-Peter White
4-1225-Henry Ayres
5-1214-Chris Whiteley
6-1215-Colin Barrie

For full results and some rather dodgy photos check out the Phantom Website at www.phantomclass.org.uk