2024 Burnham Week: Phantom East Coast Championship Event

Phantom East Coast Championship at Burnham Week 2024

24-26 August 2024

A fleet of 14 Phantoms battle it out with the yachties, with strong winds, flowing tides and big BBQ game…

On the first Saturday of Burnham Week, fourteen Phantom sailors gathered at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at Burnham-on-Crouch, set against the backdrop of excellent facilities and a stylish clubhouse. Despite the wet conditions, the anticipation for three days of thrilling racing was high. However, the weather had its challenges, with a two-hour delay due to relentless rain.

Mid-afternoon finally brought the green light for Race 1, and the camaraderie within the Phantom fleet ensured everyone was safely afloat for the start from the Pile House line. With the wind picking up, the race saw a scramble among Richard Nurse, John ‘Titch’ Wayling, and Bill Taylor, who all hit the start of the beat first, navigating up the River Roach. The race was a fine balance between tidal knowledge and boat speed, with Rich, Titch, and Bill finishing in that order after an exciting downwind run and beat back to Pile House.

After the day’s racing, the fleet retired to enjoy the festivities at the Burnham Beer Festival, replenishing energy for the next day’s forecast.

On Sunday morning, breakfast at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club fueled discussions about the weather, as sailors nervously monitored the forecast. With the Phantom National Championships just two weeks away, there were worries about damaged boats. In swells of 16-18 knots, eight sailors took to the course, with the reach to the Pile House Start line proving to be significantly faster than the day before.

In Race 2, as the boats zoomed off the line, a waterspout was spotted trailing from Mark ‘Team Sprucey’ Spruce’s boat. Local sailor Bill Taylor managed to gain a commanding lead but faced misfortune when a sudden bear-away caused him to lose control and take an unexpected swim.

Meanwhile, Sprucey, Rich N, and Titch pushed towards the finish, with Team Sprucey in contention for the win.

The wild conditions prompted a decision from the fleet to return home, with the scene of dismasted yachts providing a stark backdrop.

Later that evening, the fleet gathered in the Phantom Village Square to enjoy antipasti and a BBQ, fostering community and camaraderie.

Monday greeted competitors with sunny weather and a steadier breeze, allowing the fleet to transition into a day of racing organized by Burnham Sailing Club.

Race 3 commenced in front of Burnham Sailing Club during low water conditions, with the first mark positioned near Essex Marina. The strong competition saw Bill, Titch, and Chris Roberts leading the charge, although Bill faced another setback after taking a dip from the front. In the second lap, Chris and Titch sought the advantage of the southern bank, but they were soon outpaced by Andy Pyett, who tapped into the tide and captured a critical lift up the middle of the river to claim victory.

The final race showcased a strong tide, with Rich Nurse seizing the lead at the windward mark, closely followed by Bill and Andy. As the race unfolded, Bill reclaimed his position, overtaking both Andy and Rich to finish the event strongly.

The overall results revealed Richard Nurse retaining the Eastern Championship title, with Titch securing second place and local competitors Bill Taylor and Chris Roberts following closely behind.

Burnham Week once again proved to be an exceptional blend of sailing and socializing. A big thank you to all race officers and teams at RCYC and BSC for their efforts in hosting such a well-coordinated event.

Looking ahead, could we attract 20 Phantoms to join in next year’s adventure?

Overall Results: