Phantom Open at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

Hollingworth Lake Phantom Open © Leon Whitfield Photography

Five visitors joined two boats from the home club for the inaugural Phantom Open at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club on Sunday 16th July.

This event was shared with the GP14s and perhaps as well that it was, as the weather forecast seemed to have deterred a few from travelling. Nevertheless, those that did turn up and take part had a cracking day's racing which was ably organised by Chris Massey (OOD), Bruce Mager (AOD) and their team.

The format for the event was for 2 races back-to-back in the morning, followed by lunch and then a further 2 back-to back in the afternoon, with 3 out of 4 to count.

Race 1 set the scene for the day with Adam Froggatt from Chase leading from the start in the blustery and somewhat shifty F4-5 SW breeze. Adam quickly established a large lead which he held to the finish and behind him there was a 3-way scrap between Phil Worth, Jim Hopton and Matt Butler, who finished in that order. After a quick turnaround, Race 2 started and again Adam led from the off. However, this time he "tested the water" temperature but still recovered and regained the lead by the finish. The minor placings were the same as the first race, with Adam Perry also joining the fight towards the end.

We then came ashore for a (very much) welcomed lunchbreak and respite from the challenging conditions. Race 3 and Adam F again led from the off. This race gradually became a "war of attrition" and after a poor first beat (admitted to by himself), Jim made steady progress through the fleet to finish second behind Adam, as others fell by the wayside by either testing the water and/or suffering gear failure and damage from a GP14 collision. Likewise Adam P also benefitted to pick-up a useful third.

With Adam F having secured overall victory with 3 straight bullets, the rest of the fleet "voted with their feet" and decided that enough was enough (or perhaps even "more than enough..."). So Race 4 did not take place and it became a 3-race, no discard, event.

At the prize-giving, Adam thanked the OOD and his team for putting on a great day's racing and looks forward to returning, hopefully with a bigger fleet, in 2024.

Overall Results: