Allen Phantom UK National Championship at Sunderland Yacht Club - Overall

Jamie Morgan wins the Allen Phantom Nationals at Sunderland © Chris Roberts

What I did on Day 3 of my holidays at Sunderland Yacht Club, by Sprucey, age 62½

Apologies for the delay - yesterday was a busy day with the mental stress of "Will he - won't he?" (Get us out on the water in the fog and rain for the two scheduled races or not - the time limit was fast approaching. "He" being Howard Stephenson, our accomplished RO.)

The answer? He did and we went into the murky North Sea outside the harbour arms to be met with a lovely 10-12 knot NNE over a slightly lower swell and smoother chop than previous days.

One race sailed, a full four lap windward - leeward course and back to the club for Tea & Medals.

Then, while out on a low-life tour of the City of Light with 2 other Phantom reprobates, my injunction finally caught up with me and I had to get out of Dodge and more than 25miles away faster than I had time to say, "Hi, I'm Sprucey - I used to sail Ultra 30s!" Luckily, I don't think the Feds and my disgruntled clients will find me here in this secluded farm campsite on the top of the North Yorkshire Moors. Oh, b&%*er, did I just give the game away?

But I digress - What's that? You want to hear about who won? How rude?! OK, OK

I think that everyone was a winner. Let me explain.

The Racing was awesome - great race management from a winning team across a mix of conditions from a, frightening for some, 18 - 20 knots over a 2 plus meter swell to one race in 6-8 knots over a nasty left-over chop. Although the wind came from the N to NE quadrant all event, it was consistent with enough shifts and variety of strengths to give passing opportunities for all without it being a complete lottery.

The same sailors were consistently at the top across all conditions and thoroughly deserved their high fleet placings.

Going into the last race, Jamie Morgan from Northampton SC held a 2-point advantage over Ben Dancer in second and he made sure he controlled Ben throughout that race. For the first 2 laps they were stuck together like twins and Jamie stayed between Ben and the next mark, blocking Ben and it was game over. Jamie finished 4th with Ben in 6th and Jamie Morgan became our 2024 Phantom National Champion. Congratulations Jamie - an impressive and, I think, a very popular win.

A big shout out to Ben Dancer from Llandegfedd SC in S. Wales. He has only come back to dinghy racing in the last 15 months and I know that he has worked his socks off over the last year. This quiet, unassuming man who lets his sailing do the talking spent plenty of time in the gym and loads of solo sailing, practicing his boat handling, He finished 46th at last year's Nationals in Abersoch and took the silver step on the podium this year. That's bloody impressive and very inspirational in my book!

Third was class Chairman, Rob Cook. A thoroughly deserved bronze step. His natural sailing ability and raw speed allowed him to dig himself out of the mire on occasion and he slammed in a really consistent series.

Fourth was another youngster and newish sailor into the class, Mark Addison from Upper Thames SC with an impressive series of scores including a race win and a second.

Fifth was Sam Coxon from Chase SC, another light weight youngster. He impressed me on Day one in the breeze (His grey boat actually got in my bloody way every time I launched the aged paunch up the beat sailing - frustratingly fast for a mere sprat of a sailor! How dare he actually hike and go so fast!) and continued to knock counting results in on the next 2 days.

So, here's a thing. I think that the top five were:
1) All in their 30s or younger?
2) All under 95 Kg
3) All work hard at their sailing off the water.

With its modern, adjustable carbon rig & sail materials and lightweight, stiff hull the Phantom is no longer limited to heavy weight, old monsters like your scribe, even on big, open sea courses. It's a B. exciting, fast performance boat to sail in all conditions and really rewards hard work and good sailing. It's the obvious next step up for grown-up sailors from the Laser, Solo and Hadron Classes!

There's a New Kid(s) In Town - watch out old man!

It's certainly inspired your humble narrator to get physical for next year's Nationals at Hooe Point SC in Plymouth - watch out gym-goers in Walthamstow. (Oh dear, I can feel another injunction coming!)

I'm pleased to say that there were only 2 finishers in the top ten who didn't feature in my Runners & Riders predictions - I hope you all laid money down and were successful? I apologise to those of you who clicked on my bookie's links in that article. My mate Mustafa promises he'll pay you all out, just as soon as he is released from Lagos Central Prison in September 2049!

Allen Phantom Nationals at Sunderland - photo © Chris Roberts

Mentions in dispatches:

Jon Rickard, Hooe Point SC - the big man dominated the last race, leading from start to finish showing the upwind speed and flat boat he's famous for.

Duncan Adams, Chase SC - a man who has worked bloody hard at his sailing and fitness and the results are getting better every year.

Wayne Fletcher - the new lad from ooop North. Welcome Wayne, great to meet you and I'm sure you enjoyed it enough to book next year at Plymouth into your Diary. You have to, it's the law - we have already booked your Motorhome (or Mega RV as our US cousins say) for the Chairman's Cocktail party!

Martin Watts and Harry Briddon - the two big men of the fleet. Not your year but you were both up there. I know you really want to come - Martin - organise your diary now and borrow a boat - Harry, you have unfinished business!

Richard Nurse, John Harrison and John "Titch" Wayling. Great series boys and I never saw any of you without a smile. You kept me grounded all regatta.

Alan Husk and Mike Blunt. Absolutely fabulous - you both completed all three races in your woodies - better than most in much newer, epoxy boats! Thanks for keeping it real and the rest of us honest.

And finally - Sunderland YC. I'm actually lost for words - yes me, Sprucey, can you believe it?!

I'd heard of the North-East's legendary welcome and friendliness but I can now attest that's really true! Welcoming, laid back, nothing was too much trouble with help and assistance being freely offered before being asked. (Just don't mention Geordies!)

Thank you, Sunderland YC! That was one of the best Nationals I have done (in any class) and your volunteer members, Lucy behind the bar and Gail's Galley (Gail and Dave), Howard Stephenson and all the team did it with smiles and did you proud!

My heart swelled and I felt very emotional when Commodore Liz Arkle spoke about our Class in such a positive way at the prize-giving. A Win-Win - I'm proud to be member of such a great Class and Sunderland YC is a great Club. I will be back, for sure.

All you Phantom sailors who didn't come to Sunderland, you genuinely missed a great Championships!

That's it for another year.

Next year we're at Hooe Point SC on the Mountbatten site at Plymouth. SW Rep and Hooe Point SC member Jon Rickard is all over it. Sailing outside the breakwater with heavy weather options inside the Sound, Plymouth will be a great venue. Its in my diary and I've got my leotard on already and I'm heading down to the gym!

As always, we rely on our sponsors to run these competitive championships. So, a big hand to...

• Allen Brothers - Manufacturers and suppliers of quality performance sailing hardware. We are very proud to have Allen as our headline sponsor this year.
• Ovington Boats - Ovington made most of the boats in the competition - they continue to support our class.
• Optimum Time - Designers and manufacturers of great sailing and sport watches.
• HD Sails - A long-time supporter of the Phantom Class
• P&B - Another long-term supporter of the Phantom Class
• Vaux Brewery & Taproom - Suppliers of great beer to a great class!

Allen Phantom Nationals at Sunderland - photo © Mark Spruce

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Phantom nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here