Northampton Sailing Club Phantom Open

Saturday 4 th July saw Northampton hold its Phantom open meeting , 22 competitors took part in this well run open meeting with winds ranging from force 3 to force 6 gusts.

Race 1 started in a brisk force 5 gusting 6 at times, with the wind blowing straight down the lake a good sea was running at the start line. Will Gulliver sail number 1100 from the home club was first to show, leading round the windward mark from Nick Beloe 1170 & John Wayling 1044, both from Northampton sailing club, showing local knowledge might have something to do with it. During the race Nick passed Will and together with Laurence Crispin from Stone Yacht Club. All three had a close duel until Nick took the winning gun “by a short head”, followed by Gulliver & Crispin.

Race 2 started in slightly lighter conditions Beloe, Gulliver & Crispin again chased each other around the racecourse all spending some time at the front. Crispin lead up the final beat only to make an un characteristic error for the reigning National Champion whilst approaching the finish line leaving Nick Beloe to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat followed by Crispin & Gulliver. Simon Childs finished 4 th a great result, following a capsize on his first tack of the race.

In race 3 Will Gulliver started well and had a huge lead by the end of the first lap, only to sail the wrong course on lap 3. dropping down to 3 rd place behind Beloe & Crispin, however a mixture of luck, boat speed and other competitors capsizes allowed Gulliver to sail back into the lead, only to retire hurt at the end of lap 4 leaving Beloe to take his 3 rd victory of the event followed by Childs in 2 nd , Crispin in 3 rd and Burrell in 4 th .

Final results

1st	Nick Beloe	1170	Northampton Sailing Club	2pts
2nd	Laurence Crispin	1176	Stone Yacht Club	5pts
3rd	Will Gulliver	1100	Northampton Sailing Club	5pts
4th	Simon Childs	1177	Grafham water sailing Club	6pts

Click here for the full results table.