Three, straight bullets

Andy Couch put on a dominant display at the Phantom Winter Championships

Northampton SC hosted the inaugural Phantom Winter Champs on Saturday 16th February, sponsored by Pinnell and Bax. The forecast was for a cold but clear day with winds of around ten mph, in reality it was pretty cold and considerably breezier at times in races one and two.

Race one saw National Champ, Andy Couch, get away to a great start, and build a big lead. Behind, Brett Cokayne, John Wayling and Simon Childs had a race long battle for the minor places, which got interesting when Russell Smith joined them approaching the leeward mark causing some luffing and close quarter manoeuvres and an involuntary gybe. Cokayne eventually took second followed by Childs and Wayling.

After a splendid lunch, race two saw Childs got away well to lead from Couch and Cokayne. Childs held on until the top of the second beat when Couch broke through, and it was then fairly well spread to the finish in that order. With the wind dropping a little Cokayne fought off a fast finishing Smith and Eddie Brooks.

Race three followed back to back, with the Pin end again favoured. A late shift meant the line was difficult to cross, and Childs escaped onto port first, out of a very tight position. Couch broke through from a poor start to round the windward mark in second. Wayling and Smith again battled for third. Couch got through to lead offwind but was never comfortable in what was the closest race of the day. Smith was going well until a kicker fitting broke leaving Wayling to close up on Childs, but not quite able to catch him. Cokayne finished fourth ahead of John Pryer posting his best result in fifth.

Many thanks to Northampton SC and PRO Ian Castle for a great days sailing and sponsors Pinnell and Bax for some great prizes. Hopefully they got good value for money with their riders taking first and second places.

Thanks to all for travelling, with representation from Ipswich, Wirrall, Newcastle and Totnes it was a great start to the season.

Results:

1-Andy Couch, 2 Points
2-Simon Childs, 4 Points
3-Brett Cokayne, 5 Points
4-John Wayling, 7 Points
5-Russell Smith, 9 Points
6-Eddie Brooks, 13 Points
7-Mike Tustin, 13 Points
8-Tim Travis, 14 Points
9-Andy Gregory, 15 Points
10-Doug Conway, 16 Points