Childs takes title

It was a wet and windy Phantom Inland Championships at Chew Valley

Chew Valley played host to the 2007 Inlands over the weekend of 12-13 May. Given the recent drought-like conditions, the drive down to the West Country through torrential rain and winds was a warning of the weekend ahead.

A slightly disappointing 30 Phantoms entered, but those that made the effort were treated to a breezy and gusty Saturday force three to five, while Sunday was WET, with the initial force three dropping off to virtually nothing at the end of race six.

Race one saw the wind shift right making a strongly biased committee boat end and one sided beat. The PRO had warned the fleet that general recalls would not be used if possible, and an eager fleet shot out of the blocks. Ian Jay and Simon Feilden belatedly restarted leaving Brett Cokayne, Simon Heusen and Simon Childs leading round the first triangle, with a great second reach - flat out planing. As the three leaders approached the second windward mark the blackboard was out with five numbers on display - Cokayne and Childs pronounced guilty, which left Heusen comfortably ahead of Nick Orman and Gavin Young. Young's downwind pace got him through to second, with Orman third and Paul Lester fourth.

Race two took some time to start with the wind shifting back and forth, again Cokayne led Childs off the line to open up a good lead, with Henry Ayres third round. Cokayne sat in a lull down the first reach allowing Childs to catch and get water on the gybe. The fleet then separated with Heusen pulling through to take third ahead of Ayres.

Race three followed (all back to back), and a weary fleet set off again, Childs and Cokayne again led early on, but on the second beat Cokayne and Feilden broke through, Childs caught Feilden on the run, and the positions remained safe until the finish, with Mike Webster taking an excellent fourth.

Sunday morning and the fleet set out in the rain with all to play for and a force two to three wind. Cokayne again led round the first mark in race four, followed by Roger Battersby, Childs and Webster. Childs upwind pace in the lighter airs got him through upwind and as the breeze dropped Young passed Cokayne downwind to snatch second with Heusen fourth.

Race five saw a strong pin-end bias, and Childs made a perfect start to break away with Ayres and Feilden in pursuit. Childs maintained a comfortable lead with a real tussle for second and third. Feilden edged it with Ayres third and Phil Worth a great fourth.

Childs had a good lead going into the final race but had no discard, with his OCS. Race six started off in a light force one to two, and on a line difficult to cross on starboard. Childs played it safe to start on port mid-line, leaving the rest to fight over the pin. Heusen rounded first from Childs and Battersby. The fleet rafted up approaching the leeward mark, with James Case coming through to third. Everyone looked good at some point on the second beat as the wind faded. Case went left to snatch a lead followed by Childs and Heusen. The run was an edgy affair with Cokayne recovering from being almost a leg behind after the pin-end melee, but the fleet crept round the leeward mark to fetch to a shortened course finish. Case held on to win from Battersby and Orman, Childs holding onto fourth, Cokayne fifth and Heusen sixth.

This meant Childs, powered by P&B and Magic Marine regained the Inlands title ahead of the Evolution powered Cokayne and Heusen. Feilden led Team Norfolk home in a fantastic fourth from teammate Case, (both North), leaving Ayres (P&B) to round out the top six. Roger Battersby grabbed the Masters prize.

Many thanks to Chew Valley for a most enjoyable event, especially PRO Keith Harris - great job.

Results:

1-Simon Childs, 9.0
2-Simon Heusen, 21.0
3-Brett Cokayne, 22.0
4-Simon Feilden, 26.0
5-James Case, 28.0
6-Henry Ayres, 29.0
7-Gavin Young, 31.0
8-Nick Orman, 34.0
9-Miike Webster, 38.0
10-Roger Battersby, 44.0