West Riding Sailing Club, Wakefield, Yorkshire | Phantom & Solution Open Meeting

Phantom & Solution Open Meeting

Thirteen Phantoms and six Solutions came together for a joint open meeting at West Riding SC on Saturday 27^th March. The bright and breezy conditions produced some demanding conditions and there were significant wind shifts to keep race leaders on their metal if they were to keep the pursuing pack at bay.

Andrew Wilde dominated the Phantom fleet with three straight wins, although there was some good scrapping close behind. Wilde led all the way in the first race, leading from Mike Webster, Thomas Tindall and Alex Morrison round the first lap. Webster dropped back while Morrison showed good pace coming through for second place ahead of Tindall with Mark Weston in 4^th place.

The wind blew up for the second race and there was some carnage as the fleet sped round, with three boats retiring. Tindall led initially from Webster, Wilde and Morrison. Wilde had to fight to get ahead in what was good close racing amongst the leading bunch, but by lap three he was in the lead to take a second win and wrap up the event. Tindall took second place ahead of Webster and Morrison.

The wind died as the third race progressed, but it was the same names at the front again. Tindall again led Wilde round the first lap ahead of Webster and Morrison, but Wilde was ahead the second time around on his way to pulling off a hat trick of wins. As the breeze continued to fade, several boats retired and the final race order was Wilde, Tindall, Morrison and Richard Sims.

Overall Wilde was the clear winner from Tindall, Morrison, Webster and Sims.

Kevin Clark was the successful winner of all three Solution races. He was chased home by Tony King, Kathryn Hayfield and Colin Newman in the first race. Conditions were tough for the lightweight helms in the second race and there were only three finishers. Kathryn Hayfield did well to finish second to Clark, with Newman third.

There were only four starters for the last race, but Newman pulled out after leading the first lap leaving Clark to win from King and Newman. Overall the order was Clark, King, Hayfield and Newman.