Optimum Time Phantom South East Traveller Series 2021

Inaugural Broadwater Phantom Open © John Greaves

The Optimum Time Phantom South East Traveller Series concluded recently with the final event at Broadwater SC. Back in 2020 the class decided to split the rather large Southern region into smaller South East and South West sections. However Covid-19 meant that all Open events in 2020 were cancelled, so 2021 was the first season for the new South East Series.

Unfortunately Covid travelling restrictions were still in place at Easter 2021 which forced the cancellation of the first event at Shoreham SC. Restrictions were eased in May which meant that the event at Downs SC became the Open Meeting of the series. Conditions were extremely mixed with the wind dropping to nothing during the first race on Saturday afternoon, swiftly followed by torrential rain. With all of the competitors drifting backwards on the tide towards Dover the Race Officer had no choice but to abandon and arrange for the fleet to be towed home. Sunday morning dawned with a Southerly F5 and a rising forecast. It was just possible to get 2 quick races in before the conditions became too extreme. Local sailor Chris Shelton took the honours, followed by Nick Mason from Island Barn SC in second place and Clive Morley from Minnis Bay SC in third.

Phantoms lined up on the beach at Broadstairs - photo © Anna Cook

June saw the fleet travel further east for the first ever Phantom event at the picturesque Broadstairs SC. A F2 Northerly on Saturday produced very close racing between the 9 strong fleet. Sunday morning dawned without a breath, but after a short postponement the breeze started to build and the fleet ventured afloat. Again the racing was very close with places changing throughout the fleet as the wind gradually built during the day. At the end it was John Wayling from Northampton SC in first place, followed by Chris Shelton (Downs SC) second and Tim Denby (Broadstairs SC) third.

Following a summer break, the fleet re-convened at Lee-on-the-Solent SC at the beginning of September. Held jointly with the club's annual Regatta, it was another light wind weekend for the Phantom sailors. Nick Orman had the best day on Saturday afternoon with 2 firsts and a second, and all of the sailors enjoyed a Regatta dinner in the club's brand new clubhouse overlooking the Solent. With similar conditions on the Sunday, this time it was Chris Shelton with the best speed closely follow by Leigh Riddell. Further down the fleet the racing was again close with a number of different helms achieving top 3 finishes. At the prize-giving (again in the new clubhouse) it was Chris Shelton in first place, Nigel King (Lymington Town SC) in second and Martin Watts (Netley SC) third.

The fifth event of the series was to have been at Felpham SC at the beginning of October. However with gale force winds and heavy rain forecast for the weekend the decision was rightly made to cancel the event in advance to avoid people from travelling needlessly.

Inaugural Broadwater Phantom Open - photo © John Greaves

The final event of the series was held at Broadwater SC later in October. The only inland venue of the series attracted the best entry of 17 boats, with sailors traveling from Kent, Suffolk and Hampshire to join the strong local fleet. Once again the sailors arrived to no wind and a short postponement. However the wind slowly built and the Race Officer managed to get in 4 races during the day. Being inland, the racing was even closer than at the coastal venues with plenty of place changes during all of the races. However local knowledge obviously paid off with Leigh Riddell (Broadwater SC) taking first overall with an impressive 3 wins out of 4 races. In second place was Bob Portway from Royal Harwich YC with Nigel King from Lymington Town SC third.

Inaugural Broadwater Phantom Open - photo © John Greaves

Overall the series attracted 30 different sailors, some of whom travelled considerable distances to compete. A big thank you to all of the clubs who hosted the events and also to Optimum Time who donated watches as prizes for the overall results. Consistency of attendance certainly paid off with the sailors who attended most events being at the top of the overall series results. Overall it was Chris Shelton (Downs SC) first, Dave Patrick (Broadwater SC) second and Paddy Denby (Broadstairs SC) third.

Overall Results: