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28 - 29 January 2012 - Match Racing
Day 1 of the annual match racing championships went off like clockwork. On only one occasion (out of the 56 starts) did a pair start a minute early! Well done to the RO team.
This year's format was very similar to previous years in that the 16 entrants were split into two groups (Red & Black). In the Red group, Graham Sunderland was the clear winner with an unbeaten record. Graham Bailey was 2nd with 6 wins, Rudy Jurg was 3rd with 4 wins and Ian Southworth was 4th with 4 wins. In the Black group, Mark Downer lead the way with 6 wins; in second equal were Edmund Peel and James Meaning with 5 wins and Raymond Simmonds was 4th with 4 wins.
On Sunday, there was little or no wind which was very disappointing. After 2 flights in very fickle conditions, Jonathan Peel (PRO), in conjunction with Barry Dyer (Chief Umpire) decided to call it a day so displayed N over A and everyone headed back to the pontoon. Disappointing.
With a re-scheduling looking increasingly unlikely, it is looking as though Graham will keep the trophy (he won last year). With 6 wins apiece Mark Downer & Graham Bailey were 2=.
21 - 22 January 2012 - Piers' January Jacket
Nineteen Illusionists competed in boisterous Westerlies at the weekend for the annual “Piers’ January Jacket” trophy. Notable fleet guests included top Portuguese sailor Pedro Andrade who was immediately in the thick of a congested battle for the pin in race 1. He and several others were recalled but Bruce Huber escaped the melee and diligently guarded his lead all the way to the finish line. Race 2 was dominated by Graham Sunderland followed by Graham Bailey and Mark Downer then after much place changing and a nail-biting 3-abreast finish, the same result was repeated in Race 3.
Various impediments were reported the next day attributed jointly and severally to increased gust strength and/or attendance at Rudy Jurg’s excellent 40th birthday celebrations the night before. One determined competitor managed to break her bilge pump handle off, another head-butted the boom and then there was the sinking incident where the captain was not for abandoning her vessel!
In the first race of the day Mark Downer opened up the series with a master class in high-wind techniques to finish ahead of Graham Sunderland then Philip Bown in a very well deserved third place having prudently elected not to hoist his spinnaker for windiest runs.
Graham Sunderland then found his form (and his pyjamas according to one account) and won the next 2 races giving him the overall win ahead of Graham Bailey and Mark Downer with Raymond Simonds 4th overall and Pedro 5th.
To view Graham Bailey's video, click here
Next up is the Invitational Challenge Match Race Championship on 28th and 29th January where die-hard fans of old 12 metre America’s Cup format get to pretend they are Dennis Connor for the day, in miniature!
14 - 15 January 2012
No trophy to race for this weekend but as it is still counts towards seasons points, 17 Illusions came out to race. The water temperature is dropping and most people are now wearing additional kit such as thermal hats, gloves and skiing goggles.
On Saturday in a light East South Easterly breeze a long course was set was set across the harbour. Due to the prevailing wind direction big shifts were encountered and it was Mark Downer who read the wind best and scored two bullets in the first two races. In race three it was Edmund Peel who has been fine tuning his boat over the past few weeks to score first place. Mid fleet there was plenty of place changing and at the bottom gate lots of places were gained and lost with 4-6 boats trying to round the marks at the same time in most races. Consistency paid and Graham Bailey was overall leader after 3 races.
On Sunday the breeze was much colder and stronger but from the same direction. Real Illusion sailing weather! Left hand side of the start line and course was favoured so it was busy at this end of the line. In a strong breeze Mark Downer always performs and he did not disappoint and took the first gun of the day. Edmund Peel who is equally tall like Mark Downer flies downwind to take a comfortable second place. James Meaning who usually only sails in light winds and sunshine but made an exception on this day came in third. Just before race two Graham Bailey was seen eating Sunday lunch with knife in fork onboard to give him some extra energy and shot of the start line to win with a big lead on number 2 which was Edmund Peel again. In the last race of the day it was chaos at the pin end with all the leaders wanting the left hand of course were the wind was stronger and more stable. A bit of luck was needed to come out of this mess with a number of boats making contact but it was again Graham Bailey who got away winning the last race, no substitute for experience. After some place changing Rupert Holmes came second and Mark Downer third.
Overall winner was Graham Bailey, 2nd Mark Downer and 3rd Edmund Peel.
To view a couple of videos taken by Ed Peel & Graham Bailey, click here & here
Next regatta 21-22 January is Piers January jacket and bumper turnout is expected of at least 25 boats.
7 - 8 January 2012 - Ice Breaker 2012
For the first regatta weekend of this year 16 boats came out to sail for the Illusion Ice Breaker Trophy which has been sailed for continuously since 1982 and includes many names of the top Solent sailors. This weekend was no exception.
On Saturday race officer Mike Samuelson set a course in very changeable conditions which involved re-laying the marks for all three races. In race one it was busy on the middle of the start line but it was late starter Rudy Jurg who was next to the committee boat to round the top mark first and continue to build to build on his lead to take first place. Bruce Huber took second and Edmund Peel third.
In the second race the changeable wind conditions saw a lot of place changes at the top but it was the formidable Edmund Peel who used the rules and his familiarity with Bembridge Harbour to take first place.
In race 3 Graham Sunderland who so far had scored two sixth places started very fast on the pin end with Rudy Jurg and they would sail away from the fleet and to have their own race. Graham Sunderland would eventually take first place. Towards the back end of the fleet it is the 80+ years Philip Woodford who still gives the younger members of the fleet a good battle on the water and shows that age is not a limiting factor in this fleet.
On Sunday the wind was very light and the race office bravely decided to sail outside the harbour on an ebbing tide looking for wind. This eventually came from a West South Westerly direction varying in strength from 1-3 Beaufort. With a number of sailors on equal points it was all to play for. In race one it was husband and wife Graham and Julia Bailey who sailed to the front of the fleet. It was noted that most of the fleet was sailing to apparent wind angles on the downwind legs whilst Julia Bailey sailed almost dead downwind gaining several places in the process.
In race 5 Graham Bailey finally found form again with a good start and boat speed and took first place and light weather specialist James Meaning second place and Julia Bailey in third. In the last race of the day it was close call for overall victory but Graham Sunderland got away again cleanly together with James Meaning. Especially on the downwind legs there was plenty of place changing and frustration with sail trim could be heard all over the water. A final long upwind beat appeared to work best on the left hand side of the course but a shift and increasing wind strength on the right favoured especially Rudy Jurg and Mark Downer who took gained a number of places to secure a place in the top three overall.
This was a high scoring regatta showing the level of talent in the fleet. Graham Sunderland won the Ice Breaker Trophy with Rudy Jurg in second and Mark Downer in third. Graham Bailey would just beat his wife Julia on count back into 4th place.
Next racing is 14th & 15th January followed by Piers' January Jacket the following weekend.
To have a look at the excellent start to Race 2 on Saturday click here
31 December 2011 - 2nd January 2012 - no racing early/late tides.
26 - 27 December - Christmas Cracker
The Christmas Cracker is a nice excuse for many Illusion sailors to have a break away from family duties, eating and drinking. Last year this regatta had 30 entries but this year only 16 made it to the start line swelled by 4 visitors who loaned various boats. After some small talk on the dock side about practical Illusion Christmas gifts such as gloves, hats and for a luckily few a new spinnaker race officers Mike Samuelson and Jockey Wilson set a challenging course in Bembridge Harbour in a West South Westerly wind varying from 3-5 Beaufort. On Boxing Day Bruce Huber was the unbeatable and won every race by a comfortable margin. However for the next 5 places racing was very close and John Raymond with some new sails surprised himself scoring two second places on this first day of racing. Nick Foden Pattison, who took his boat out first time this year, had two third places having a close racing with Rudy Jurg. Probably most eventful was race Two when on one of the downwind legs a very strong gust came through causing at least 7 boats to broach and Arthur Jurg nearly holing the committee boat in the process!
On Tuesday a few of the top guns came out who had not sailed the previous day and this always provides interesting mathematics if you are trying to do well overall in this two day regatta. In the much lighter conditions with a wind from South/South Westerly direction, the second race was probably the most spectacular with numerous place changes especially on the downwind legs were the tide played a major role. In the last mark rounding it could have been any bodies race but it was Andrew Christie who slipped through to take first place, followed by light air specialist James Meaning in second and Rudy Jurg in third beating Bruce Huber into fourth place by only a few inches. Race Three unfortunately became a procession due to a wind shift. Bruce Huber regained his form to take first place.
The winner of the Illusion Christmas Cracker (a beautiful model of an Illusion) was Bruce Huber with Rudy Jurg in second place and Edmund Peel in third place beating John Raymond on count back to fourth place overall.
Next regatta is the Illusion Ice Breaker 6 & 7 January and the class hopes to have at least 30 entries for this event.
Click here to see the start of Race 2 on Boxing Day - except for 501, it was a close call at the pin end!
17 - 18 December - no racing, late tides. Pity, it was actually quite nice!
10 - 11 December - Team Racing
Whilst our political leaders were battling out a deal in Brussels another battle was being fought in Bembridge between various Solent yacht clubs for the Interclub Illusion Team Racing Championship. This trophy has been raced for many years and brings some of the best local sailors to Bembridge Sailing Club with 7 teams entered. This year did not disappoint with the likes of Ian Southworth, Graham Sunderland, Mark Downer making it to the start line. Each team consists of 2 Illusions.
Principal Race Officer Jonathan Peel was assisted by large armada of race officers and on water umpires. Saturday was raced outside Bembridge Harbour which was interesting as sailors would regularly push their opponents far beyond the laylines which made for some very interesting manoeuvres and application of the rules. To get through 49 races a start sequence of 2 minutes between each race is applied and this worked like clock work with lots of flags and sound signals. The relatively gentle and stable conditions on Saturday meant racing was very close keeping the umpires busy. Husband and wife team Mark & Jo Downer representing the Royal Victoria Yacht Club came out as the strong contenders for the day only loosing a match against Matt Alexander & Xander Shaw after being pushed out over the start line. Rudy Jurg and Justin Biddle representing Bembridge Sailing Club also only lost one match against the Downers.
Ian Southworth and Jonh Santy representing Hamble River Sailing Club also came out very strongly only loosing 2 very closely fought matches. Surprise of the day was to see top Solent sailor Graham Sunderland with his team mate Fergal Finlay representing the Island Sailing Club not make it through to the semi finals as they where considered the favourites. Mind you it did not help when Fergal's mast fell down during one of the early races when the forestay pin came out! James Axtell and Alastair Spear Cole representing the Royal Yacht Squadron battled through to take the 4th slot in the semi finals.
Whilst Saturdays sailing was cold but sunny, on Sunday wintery conditions would test all sailors and equipment. With so many umpire ribs on the water a steep wave pattern developed regularly swamping boats coupled with wind gusts up to 24 knots. First off in the semi finals and best of three races was Jo and Mark Downer (RVYC) against Ian Southworth & John Santy (HRSC). Jo and Mark would take the first race and it was a very close match, in the second race Ian and John sailed the winning combination. In the third and deciding race for a place in the finals both Mark and Jo showed that they know how to sail an Illusion in heavy airs and kept their boats afloat and fast to take the gun for a place in the finals.
In the second heat to go through to the finals was Bembridge Sailing Club, Rudy Jurg & Justin Biddle against Royal Yacht Squadron, James Axtell and Alaistair Spear Cole. After a little pushing in pre start manoeuvres Rudy & Justin started on the gun at full speed never to be challenged in this first of 3 races. In the second races they had to work harder but an error at the first top mark by James let the team from Bembridge Sailing Club through to win their place in the finals.
In the finals, it was Bembridge Sailing Club v Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Both team used all the tricks in the book in prestart maneuvers but all got off in an equal start. The team from BSC had the advantage in early part of the race but unfortunately Justin Biddle flooded his boat allowing Mark Downer to catch up. First win to Royal Victoria Yacht Club. In the second race, Mark pushed Rudy into a prestart penalty and Justin pushed Jo above the committee boat making for an interesting start. An almighty battle between Mark and Justin on the first leg of the beat ensued. Rudy and Jo arrived first at the top mark followed by Mark but on the first downwind leg Rudy made a tactical error and let the Downers through and there was nothing more they could do, Rudy finishing barely afloat having broken his bilge pump. The team from Royal Victoria Yacht therefore taking the trophy home.
Third place went to two teams - Royal Yacht Squadron & Hamble River Sailing Club after both suffered gear damage in the battle for third place and could not complete their full series.
1. RVYC Mark & Jo Downer
2. BSC Rudy Jurg & Justin Biddle
3= HRSC Ian Southworth & John Santy
3= RYS James Axtell & Alastair Speare-Cole
5. BSC 1 Matt Alexander & Xander Shaw
6. TSC Andrew Christie & Richard Ambler
7. ISC Graham Sunderland & Fergal Finlay
You can get a feel for the conditions if you click on Semi-finals RVYC v HRSC - Race 3
3 - 4 December - no racing, early tides.
26 - 27 November - Bailey Bowl
Many will have read about the various breakages in the Volvo Ocean Race but in Bembridge Harbour the was plenty happening too in the strong Force 4-6 West South Westerly conditions. Several boats broke rudder systems, halyards, outhauls or bilge pumps with most however being able to make a fix and get back out on the water again. Nineteen boats came out to race this weekend out of the 44 boats which are now parked at Bembridge Sailing Club.
On Saturday it was Mark Downer who showed he is still the master of the Illusion Class by winning all 3 races by some margin. Rudy Jurg followed him in 2 races closely behind although he had more of a battle with Barnaby Edwards, Julia Bailey and Rupert Holmes changing places on a regularly occurrence in the shifting breeze. Left hand side of the course seemed to pay most of the time although continuing to play the shifts remains important as in this corner the breeze would drop more suddenly than middle and right hand side of the course.
On Sunday we had a few of Saturdays ‘drop outs’ rejoining the racing one of whom was Graham Bailey who nearly sunk on the previous day and had to retire. Non deterred he posted a second place behind Mark Downer. Bembridge Sailing Club Commodore Philip Bown came third, his best result of the weekend. After a short postponement to adjust the course a nearly perfect start of from all Illusionist meant that it was crowded at the top mark and down the first run. Bruce Huber took the gun followed by Graham Bailey and Rudy Jurg. Mark Downer struggled after a bad start and took 6th. Mid fleet Robin Ebsworth and Philip Woodford both sporting new sails seemed to change place most races and finished on equal points.
In the last race of the day race officer Mike Samuelson raised the black flag for the third time to great hilarity of the fleet who presumed he wanted to get back for Sunday Roast at the club rather than having to deal with general recalls! Graham Bailey went for pin end and did a port tack flyer, he was never contested and finished at least half a leg ahead of Edmund Peel. The very consistent high performing Julia Bailey came third. The overall prize and the newly presented ‘Bailey Bowl’ was won by Mark Downer, followed by Dutchman Rudy Jurg and Julia Bailey in third.
With some 24 race days still to go this season it promises to be a very exciting season in the largest one-design keel boat fleet based in the Solent racing in winter time. Last season the class managed an average outing of 21 boats for every racing weekend which they hope to break this season.
Some good video links below:
Race 4 by Edmund
Race 5 by Edmund
Race 6 by Edmund
Start of Race 4 (under Black Flag) by Mike
First run Race 4 by Mike
10-11 December is the Interclub Team Racing event were the best teams from sailing clubs around the Isle of Wight will battle it out for this coveted trophy.
19 - 20 November - no racing, early/late tides which was a pity as the sun was out!
12 - 13 November - Picnic Hamper
Twenty boats paddled or were assisted by Mike Sam in the supporting RIB out of the harbour on Saturday morning in the hopes that the forecast easterly breeze would build for the Picnic Hamper Trophy. After a delayed start, it did - well enough to get three two round races completed!
The start of the first race under the I flag was not a great success with a mid-line bulge resulting in the inevitable general recall and the Black flag appearing for the rest of the day. With split fleets on every beat, Race 1 went to Graham Sunderland with Colin Simonds & Raymond Simonds close behind. Race 2 started well for Julia Bailey until her mast fell down at the leeward mark when the forestay split pin came undone. Fortunately Mike was on the scene pretty quickly and had it fixed in time for the final race. Meanwhile, line honours went to Bruce Huber followed by Graham Bailey and Colin Simonds. In the last race of the day it was Raymond Simonds turn to lead the fleet home ahead of Graham Sunderland and Bruce Huber.
The increased easterly breeze kept the 19 boat fleet in the harbour on Sunday; with Graham absent from the line up, the first race of the day was Graham Bailey's with Bruce Huber & Julia Bailey close behind. Race 2 saw Raymond Simonds take line honours ahead of Tom Wilson and Graham Bailey. In the final race of the weekend Julia Bailey hit the front and staved off challenges from Rupert Holmes with Bruce having to be content with a third place.
Final result:
1. Bruce Huber (13 points)
2. Raymond Simonds (14 points)
3. Graham Bailey (16 points)
5 - 6 Nov - no racing programmed - early tides.
29 - 30 Oct - Guy Fawkes Trophy
Fourteen Illusions race outside Bembridge Harbour in a two day battle for the Guy Fawkes Trophy. Saturday's 3 races provided mixed conditions in the choppy sea, Rudy Jurg, James Meaning and Graham Sunderland locked in tight racing with a consistent Andrew Christie not far off the pace. David Bottom assisted by Serena & Will Gosling were quick adjusting the course as the breeze rotated under a dark rain cloud that hung over the course making it interesting for everyone...
Sunday and a few more sailors appeared for their first outing of the season with Bruce Huber heading the charge from Mark Downer (both having been unable to race on Saturday as they had decided that the Sailing Committee was a higher priority). Rob Mathieson & Rob Owen set a perfect course which didn't need moving but were challenged with a general recall in race 5 and the resulting I-flag start got everyone away second time. Large swell doubled in size and the boats disappeared in the troughs - Graham Sunderland did enough to close the deal and take the trophy with Rudy close behind to take second & a very happy Andrew Christie clinching third....
1st Graham Sunderland - 'racing in large swell is not something we are used to in the Solent - the competition disappeared when in the troughs and upwind port speed was doubled at times pretty awesome...Bembridge is a great racing venue'
2nd Rudy Jurg - 'fantastic surfing up and down wind in the large swell... the boats handled it well... Top Solent racers racers in this fleet make it very challenging...'
3rd Andrew Christie - 'gonna quit while I am ahead - very pleased with third overall and loved being first to mark one in race 6 - enjoyed looking back at the cheeky port tackers causing a pile up. Large swell was great fun added a real unknown element'
22 - 23 Oct - no racing programmed due to early tides.
15 - 16 Oct - Trafalgar Trophy - by Rudy Jurg
Whilst most boat owners have put they boats in winter mode this is not the case at Bembridge Sailing Club were the quay is rapidly filling up with Illusions which sail from early October to late April. Over 40 of these one design keelboats are expected to be racing this season. Two training weekends have already been completed and last weekend was the first trophy weekend. Many sailors who during the summer can be found sailing in front of various fleets in the Solent hone their skills over the winter in Bembridge Harbour. With no less than 38 race days this season you will find some of the best and closest one design sailing in the Solent this winter.
On Saturday a long course was set just outside Bembridge Harbour off Silver Beach. It’s rare these boats sail in warm and sunny conditions but Saturday was glorious day with winds from a southerly direction 3-4 Beaufort. In the first race it was James Meaning who had a tussle with Graham Sunderland but James took the first gun of the day. In race two Graham went for the pin end at full speed and build up a comfortable lead. James Meaning and Graham Bailey followed behind. In race three it was Graham Sunderland again going for pin end and took the gun closely followed by James Meaning and Rudy Jurg. In the choppy conditions it was all about maintaining boat speed which when waves are double the height of your freeboard is a challenge.
On Sunday the day started off with no wind but soon filled in from the North. In light winds the race started and this time Raymond Simonds seemed to sail through the fleet by reading the changing conditions well. At the bottom mark some of the leaders went to starboard giving those a chance to gain a few fleets who rounded to port when the wind shifted. Race Officer David Bottom read the changing conditions well and shortened the race to avoid it becoming a drag race. With the winds having almost shifted 180 degrees to the South West a new but shifty breeze set in. Colin Simonds got a good start in his beautifully refurbished Illusion and took the gun. James Meaning however was not far behind followed by Graham Sunderland in third place. In the last race of the day it was the Commodore of Bembridge Sailing Club - Philip Bown - who sailed a perfect race and crossed the line ahead of Julia Bailey. His Illusion is one of the most optimised Illusions in the fleet and he obviously got it all to work and put his boat in perfect trim!
Overall winner and taking home the Trafalgar Trophy was James Meaning followed by one point behind in second place Graham Sunderland and Graham Bailey in third.
1st - James Meaning (10 points)
2nd - Graham Sunderland (11 points)
3rd - Graham Bailey (16 points)
4th - Rudy Jurg - (23 points)
Next event is the Guy Fawkes Trophy 29th-30th October. Subject to weather conditions over 25 boats are expected on the start line.
8 - 9 Oct - Illusion "skills & drills" weekend
Although the late summer weather was merely a memory, conditions were not quite as bad as forecast and racing was able to take place outside the harbour on both days. Many thanks to Julian Pearson who provided some excellent coaching through the RYA Adult Participation Training scheme. The five helms on Saturday & seven on Sunday certainly felt it was very beneficial. Actual race results to follow.
1 - 2 Oct
Real Indian summer weather for the last of the One-Design weekends of the season and the first for the Illusions. With a little bit of arm twisting by the Class Captain (Jos Coad), there were eleven One-Designs out on Saturday. It was therefore very disappointing that having agreed to have two shorter races, just after the simple "there and back" windward leeward course start the wind became very variable in strength and caught most out. Indeed, only those who took the risk to go right out or right in managed to find enough breeze to round Under Tyne and Nainby and get back to the start before the wind died off completely. John Deacon in No 6, with young Felicity as his crew, finished a full 5 minutes ahead of Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 with Donald Biddle third a minute later. Despite best efforts, the remainder retired in the hopes that a second race might have been possible. However, having towed everyone up to the Under Tyne moorings, and with no sign of a breeze, it was decided to call it a day.
Reduced numbers on Sunday and still with only a very light breeze, another short windward leeward course was the order of the day. Again a variety of tactics with most heading to the shore, however Martin Bonham in No 2 went out and found the better breeze. Still first at Garland, he then mistook the penultimate mark (the Mirror inflatable) and initially rounded a speed limit marker buoy instead which allowed Mark Grz to take over the lead. Brian Orange in No 1 came in third a couple of minutes later just ahead of D in No 11, with Xander Shaw in No 5 & Tony & Pat Spalding in No 12 only seconds behind.
After lunch, having completed their buoyancy tests on Saturday, four (and eventually five) Illusions had 4 "tuning" races off Silver Beach. Sun hats and sunscreen were very much in demand!
24 - 25 Sept
Fourteen multihulls made their way to Bembridge for the annual MOCRA Bembridge Regatta held over the weekend. After weekends of strong winds, it was almost the opposite however there was just enough breeze on Saturday to complete the planned three races - including round the Nab Tower, and on Sunday the Force 3 to 4 southerly provided almost perfect multihull racing conditions.
The first race was an ambitious windward leeward course to the Bembridge Ledge however, with the slower boats struggling to keep up, it was shortened after the first round. Line honours & winner on handicap was Peter Newman in Twister, 2nd was Mark Hughes in Lil'Annie and 3rd was Stuart Gummer helming Humdinger. Race 2 was intentionally set as a shorter windward leeward but with the breeze picking up just after the start everyone finished rather quicker than planned. Twister & Lil'Annie finished seconds apart but it was Nigel Talbot with his son and a friend in Nitric who emerged as the winner on handicap; Simon Baker in Drama Queen was 2nd and Lil'Annie was 3rd. After lunch, with just enough breeze to get them round, the fleet set off on a short beat to Cochrane before heading out to the Nab Tower & back via Warner. Twister again took line honours but had to make do with a 2nd place being beaten by Drama Queen by a couple of minutes on handicap. Andy Varley in Kittiwake was 3rd.
The first race on Sunday was another windward leeward one and as it was such a lovely morning and Warner & Under Tyne made for a perfect course, it ended up rather longer than originally programmed. With Twister absent due to other commitments, Kittiwake took line honours but had to make do with 2nd place on handicap behind Drama Queen; Humdinger was 3rd. For the final race, RO, Mike Samuelson, came up with something rather different! A short course between Patch & Undertyne three times round, finishing at Undertyne certainly raised adrenalin levels and kept crews very busy! Additionally the race started interestingly as it was agreed that the back markers (Millie Mo & Dazzla) from the previous race who were not going to join in the final race should still be allowed to finish Race 4. Fine for Millie Mo who finished a couple of minutes before the start of Race 5, but Dazzla only crossed the line (on port) about 25 seconds before everyone else started! Phew! Kittiwake lead the way for most of the race but again had to make do with 2nd place on handicap to Nitric, with Drama Queen taking 3rd place. Lots of smiles as boats finished after what had certainly not been a procession with split fleets both on the beats & the runs.
Congratulations to Simon Baker & Drama Queen who were the overall winners of the Regatta - up from Plymouth for the Southampton Boatshow, it was great to see them again. Nigel Talbot from RVYC and his young crew were 2nd overall in Nitric, and Mark Hughes from Poole in Lil'Annie was 3rd. We certainly look forward to welcoming everyone back again next September
In the meantime BODA took part in the Victory Regatta in Portsmouth over the week-end with 5 boats sailing over on the Saturday morning. It had been hoped to have a formal Passage Race but the lack of wind precluded this - as starting a race would only have delayed their getting to Portsmouth in time for the regatta. Jos Coad had been unable to get to the Island on Friday evening so James Row very kindly sailed no 8 over before swapping with Jos off Portsmouth - James then returning to London.
There were 4 races scheduled for the Saturday which had to be reduced to 3 due to the wind dying at 2.30pm. In the morning races, Willie Westmacott, sailing with Brian Orange in 11, won, with Jos Coad (8) second followed by Martin Bonham, sailing with Charlie Harcourt-Smith in no 2, William Bland, sailing with Charles Evans in no 10 and Roy Burrows in 9. In the second race, Brian Orange helmed no 11 to victory, followed home by Charlie Harcourt in 2, Jos Coad in 8, Charles Evans in 10 and Roy Burrows in 9. In the 3rd race, Willie Westmacott overtook Jos Coad on the final run and got away to win just as the wind was dying; Jos Coad just managed to finish taking some 20 minutes to complete the last 30 yards, the others unable to even round the windward mark due to the strong adverse tide and dying wind. The boats were moored on spare Victory moorings in the Haslar marina overnight as the 11 sailors and 4 wives had a most enjoyable supper and evening at the Portsmouth Sailing Club with our hosts.
On the Sunday morning a south-westerly force 4 was blowing which gave us 2 excellent races before we returned to Bembridge. In the first race Brian Orange won from Jos Coad, followed by Charlie Harcourt, William Bland and Roy Burrows. In the second race, Willie Westmacott won from Jos Coad, followed by Martin Bonham, Charles Evans and Roy Burrows - at which point we beat back across the Spithead in a rising force 5 making good time back to Bembridge. One unexpected excitement was that once back on our boats on Sunday morning, we had to beat out of Portsmouth harbour as the ribs were otherwise occupied; as we were entering the harbour mouth we were met by HMS Campbelltown being towed into the Harbour by two tugs. Fortunately there was enough room even though the Navy commandeered most of the channel!
Everyone really enjoyed the two days and we look forward to the regatta next year which is taking place in mid-May.
It was the last weekend of racing for the Redwings; sadly there were no takers either day.
17 - 18 Sept
The forecast & actual conditions kept the keelboats firmly on their moorings on Saturday; Sunday there were no takers.
10 - 11 Sep
Saturday saw a south-westerly 4 which made for perfect sailing conditions for BODA who - thanks to the Class Captains persuasiveness - had all 12 boats out with full sail. Given the possibility that the wind might rise to 5/6, the race officers, Fraser Morrison & Susie Evans, started the race at Patch with a course of Garland-Patch 3 times with a final beat to Pepe to finish. Three boats got away from the other 9 by the first mark and throughout the race the order within each group changed frequently. Jos Coad (1) overtook James Row (8) on the final beat to win, with Peter Truman (2) finishing third. They were followed in by James Bullin (4) – who had made up from being last at the first mark and just pipped Susie Beart (5) by a whisker followed by Robin Joy (11), John Deacon (6), James Palmer (3), Norman Marshall (7), Ed Burrows (9), Charles Evans (10) & William Bland (12). All agreed it couldn’t have been better conditions for the first time in the season that the full fleet was racing. Although Robin Ebsworth was ready to race, sadly there were no other Redwings out.
The wind picked up overnight to a south-westerly force 5 gusting 6/7 and after an excellent dinner in the Club the evening before numbers reduced somewhat and there were only enough takers for five One-Designs for Sunday's race. The race officers, Philip James, Donald Biddle and Charlie Harcourt-Smith, wisely started the race at Footprint with a course of Pepe-Footprint 3 times with a final beat to Pepe. Peter Truman (9) lost his jib shackle before the start and manfully tried to race on his mainsail only; being a long way last at the first mark he retired. Despite wind speeds of up to 27 knots the others made it round with James Row (8), beating Ed Burrows (3), Roy Burrows (12) & John Deacon (6). There were no Redwings.
Some testing conditions (particularly on Sunday) for Rupert Perry & David Macfarlane who successfully completed their PBL2 Course over the weekend!
Finally, many congratulations to Mark & Jo Downer and their eldset son George who very nearly brought home the elusive Prince Philips Inter Club Cup that was raced for on Saturday in the Seaview Mermaids. As it was they had to make do with 2nd place behind a team from the Imperial Poona YC. Next year perhaps!!
3 - 4 September
Excellent racing on Saturday with close finishes in both classes after a good hour and a half races. There were six Redwings out, and well done to Serena Gosling in No 45 Gosling who just held off Colin Samuelson in No 11 Toucan to take line honours. Tom Chetwood in No 16 Ladybird with Willie Clegg crewing was third. There were only two One-Designs racing and young Oliver Joy (with father Robin as his tactition) in No 10 and Helen Mathieson in No 1 had an excellent match race, with Oliver just managing to cross the finish line ahead of Helen.On Sunday it was blowing hard and although four Redwings (Nos 6, 11, 13 & 45)headed out towards Derrick (including the Club Secretary crewing Tarpon for his first Redwing race for many years!) only Flamingo (helmed by Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore) & Gosling actually stayed out to race. Race Officer Philip James, assisted by Helen Mathieson, looking for as much protection as they could, set a short course between Derrick & Drum with a finish at Pepe. Jonathan, ably crewed by Richard & Lisa, led almost from the start and despite best efforts, the Goslings had to make do with second place. There were no One-Designs.
23 - 29 August
No courses, and not many boats out during the week, however not a bad show for the BHYC Regatta on Saturday & Sunday and good fleets for Monday. Well done to Anna Row who won the coveted BOD Jubilee Trophy on Friday, and James Wilson who won the Redwing Jeannie Cochrane on Sunday. Also to John Harbord-Hamond in BOD No 4 who won a keenly contested single handed race for the Burrows Trophy on Wenesday morning and to James Bullin in BOD No 8 who won the Cartwright Prize in the afternoon. The Margetson Trophy on Saturday morning was won by Lettie Coad sailing with her father; this was her first time helming a One-Design and she finished second behind James Beart in the juniors heat. Father won the adult heat!
Some lovely sailing conditions for the BHYC Regatta over the Bank Holiday weekend. The keelboats, under the expert eye of National Race Officer Jonathan Peel, had some excellent racing on both days. On Saturday eight Redwings started and Richard Jessel in No 6 Flamingo, just held off Joe Roberston in No 24 Red Gauntlet II to finish a boat length ahead after and hour and a quarters race. Mark Andreae was third in No 3 Prawn. Nine One-Designs also enjoyed some close racing with James Row in No 8, coming in ahead of Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 and John Harbord-Hamond in No 4.
On Sunday, six Redwings started and Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II had to make do with another 2nd place, this time to Thomas Chetwood in No 16 Ladybird who had an excellent race; Rosie Gosling in No 45 Gosling was third. The nine One-Designs meanwhile had a surprise winner with Penny Stanley sailing in No 1 crewed by Jos Coad (the Class Captain) just holding off James Row in No 12 and Tim Bonham in No 2. There were no Squibs on either day.
On Monday Susie Beart in No 5 was first out of 11 BODA starters, followed home by James Row (8), Helen Mathieson (10), Brian Orange (11) & Rob Mathieson (1). Congatulations to James Row who won the Victory Trophy for the week-end’s racing. In the Redwings, Colin Samuelson in Toucan crossed the line in second place but was in fact the winner as Matt Alexander in Harlequin was OCS.
15 - 22 August
A very busy last course week with larger than normal Oppy 4 and Cadet Week 2 courses. Well done to all the instructors who helped make both courses such a success despite te fickle weather at times. Thursday was particularly testing when a squall blew through but everyone got back to the harbour safely and without any injuries or broken boats. Congratulations to the following who won trophies:
Mackinnon Quiach (handicap racing) - Hugh Laughton-Scott & Myles Powell
Captain's Compass (effort & enthusiasm) - Archie Comparelli
Tucknott Trophy (most improved) - Minna Coneybeare-Cross
Curling Cup (most improved Oppy 4) - Venetia Comparelli
Penny Trophy (Oppy racing during the week including Regattas) - Archie Goodwin
Watt Prize (best kept Oppy during Oppy 4) - Alexander Huber
Watt Trophy (best kept Oppy during all the courses) - Adair Verey
The annual Regatta on Friday & Saturday was well supported and despite a lengthy postponement for the keelboats on Saturday while the Race Officer patiently waited for the easterly breeze to fill in, conditions overall allowed enjoyable and close racing. There were a total of 125 boats out on Friday (91 dinghies & 34 keelboats) and 100 boats (59 dinghies & 41 keelboats) on Saturday. The winning helms were as follows:
XOD - Friday (2 starters) No finishers; Saturday (4 starters) No 190 - Ben Few-Brown
Redwings - Friday (12 starters) Harlequin - Matt Alexander; Saturday (13 starters) Toucan - Colin Samuelson
Seaview Mermaids - Friday (9 starters) No 3 - Charles Glanville; Saturday (12 starters) No 5 - Richard Hill.
One-Designs - Friday (8 starters) No 1 - Rob Mathieson; Saturday (10 starters) No 8 - Jos Coad.
Squibs - Friday (3 starters) No 500 Martin Harrison; Saturday (3 starters) No 535 - Richard Bowtell.
Optimists - Friday (28 starters) No 5981 - George Ford; Saturday (12 starters) No 5327 - Ed Chads.
Scows - Friday (13 starters) No 625 - Bruce Huber; Saturday (9 starters) No 577 - Feargal Finlay.
Slow Handicap - Friday (11 Starters) Pico - Oli Henderson; Saturday (5 starters) Pico - Oli Henderson.
Lasers - Friday (22 starters) No 162814 - Hugh Laughton-Scott; Saturday (18 starters) No 169992 - Nick Haynes.
Fast Handicap - Friday (19 starters) L3000 - Robert Tidbury & Jasper Ross; Saturday (10 starters) RS700 - Charlie Stobbart-Hook.
Finally congratulations to Myles Powell who helmed No 18 Redwing Harlequin to victory in the keenly contested Norman Phillips Cadet Trophy on Saturday morning.
8 - 14 Aug
A very windy Cowes Week which certainly tested the day keelboats. Fortunately No 14 Redstart II was quickly recovered with minimal damage (other than the rig) having filled up earlier in the week. Congratulations to James Wilson sailing No 30 Quail who was the overall winner of Redwing Class for the week; Matt Alexander in No 18 Harlequin was second and Hugo Cuddigan in No 8 Capella II was third.
Not many One-Designs out racing during the week but well done to Ollie Nainby-Luxmoore who won the Hulbert (Under 19) prize on Saturday morning ahead of Will & Sam Harbord-Hamond. On Saturday afternoon 6 boats enjoyed a lovely race for the Brinton Trophy; Anna Row in No 8 took line honours about 20 seconds ahead of John Deacon in No 6 with Sarah Marshall in No 7 in third place. The Ball clearly took its toll and only 5 boats took to the water on Sunday afternoon. John Deacon in No 6 was first across the line just ahead of Anna Row in No 8. Sarah Marshall in No 12 was third. This meant that John won (on count back) the Brinton Trophy for the 2 days racing over the Ball weekend.
Despite the breezy conditions, the 31 children on Oppy 3 all had fun and certainly their sailing had improved significantly by the end of the week. Congratulations to Felicity Deacon who won the Curling Cup for the most improved, Oscar Chalmers who won the Portland Trophy for racing and Adair Verey who won the Watt Prize for the best kept Oppy.
1 - 7 August
Although the weather was not fantastic, overall another successful Cadet Week with 62 Cadets sailing at Bembridge and 12 racing over at Gurnard. Many thanks to all the instructors and the myriad of helpers both on and off the water who made all work so well. Congratulations to the following cup & trophy winners:
Beginners Trophy (Scows - Best Colt) - Katinka Carlton-Smith
Scow Cup (Uno most improved) - Abi Jordan
Catseye & Clarissa (Uno + most improved) - Ben Powell
Butler Trophy (Uno racing) - Lachlan McLucas
David Niven Trophy (Tres most improved) - Sasha Hinde
Firefly Cup (Topaz racing) - Harry Byatt
420 Cup (Uno + racing) - Emma Stanley & Lottie Fowler
Sharman Trophy (Laser most improved) - James Doherty
Clegg Tankard - (Laser B Group Racing) - Robert Tidbury
Genevieve Trophy (Overall Laser racing) - Ben Stoddart-Stones
Salamander Trophy (Best Under 15 Cadet) - Emma Stanley
Amelia Jessel Prize ( Best Under 18 Cadet) - Robert Tidbury
Evelyn Morton Cup (Team racing) - Chloe Crisp's team
Rusty Shackle - Mike Samuelson (for prop wrapping TRIO during the Team Racing!)
A few One-Designs out during the week. Hugo Cuddigan in Capella II was first over the line at Cowes in the pretty fast Redwing Passage Race on Friday. Tom Scott in Siskin was 2nd and George Greenwood in Rosetta was 3rd. Earlier in the day Will Harbord-Hamond retained the Bavarian Tankard (helm under 18, crew any age) in a two boat race with Jasper Ross. On Saturday Anna Row in No 8 was the first of the eight One-Designs, with Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 coming in about a minute later. No 5 (Syd Beart?) was third. On Sunday, six One-Designs much enjoyed a short course (Under Tyne, Tara & Fitzwilliam 3 times round) in boisterous conditions. Mark Grz in No 9 lead virtually from the start but among the others, places changed regularly. Martin Bonham in No 2 was second, and Alexander Ross in No 4 was third.
25 - 29 July - Oppy 2
Early tides initially but with somewhat nicer weather made for a very successful Oppy 2. Well done to Oscar Bown who won the Curling Cup for the most improved, Archie Goodwin the Biggest Pot & Ella Hastings, the Watt Prize for the best kept Oppy.
The six One-Designs who sailed up to Cowes for the Metre & Classic Week had an enjoyable week despite a lack of wind at the beginning. Well done to Roy Burrows who was the overall Class winner, William Bland who was second and Alexander Ross who came in third place after a count back. The Pursuit Race saw James Row take line honours ahead of two other One Designs. See the BOD page for more details.
The keelboats had a somewhat frustrating & windless Saturday; indeed the eighteen Redwings had a delayed start and a course shortened to one round; Meri Benham in Paroquet excelled in the light conditions to finish three minutes ahead of Colin Samuelson in Toucan and Matt Alexander in Harlquin. Only four One-Designs raced; Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 came in a long way ahead of James Row in No 8. No 11 was 3rd.
There was a better breeze on Sunday and the fourteen Redwings were sent off on a longer race by the RO - Colin Samuelson - that included the Bembridge Ledge & Derrick. James Wilson in Quail was the first round the Ledge and extended the finish four minutes ahead of Hugo Cuddigan in Capella II (good to see back out racing). Nick Rowton-Lee in Banzai II was third. Nine One-Designs also had an enjoyable but slightly shorter race. James Row in No 8 had a commanding lead for most of the race and finished just over a minute ahead of Sarah Marshall in No 7 with Rob Mathieson a minute later in No 1.
Sunday saw the start of Cadet Week with 64 cadets at Bembridge & 12 racing at Gurnard. It was also the EWCC Dinghy Regatta kindly run again by BHYC. Mixed results but given that it was within hours of the start of the course, overall it was quite a feat getting so many boats the race. Well done to Robert Tidbury in his first serious outing in a Laser who won the 4.7 race, ahead of Myles Powell and Charles Nainby-Luxmoore. Also to Emma Stanley & Lottie Fowler, Lochlan McLucas & Max Hastings who were the first three Uno+/Uno's to finish in the slow handicap. The Scows were also in the Slow Handicap and Oliver Morgan just beat Francesca to finish 3rd. Abi Doherty crewing Tim Wiggins in her 29er was the only Asymmetric to finish, and Archie Goodwin (who won) & Oscar Chalmers were the only two Oppies out racing.
18 - 24 July - Laser/Topaz Week & Oppy 1
Overall a surprisingly successful first course week given some pretty unfair weather that saw two days of strong wind warnings and the two days with barely a whisper. There were 34 children on Laser/Topaz Week and 16 children on Oppy 1. Aside of course all of the instructors and helpers, many congratulations to the following cup & trophy winners.
Tidbury Trophy (Laser Radial most improved) - Hector Conybeare-Cross
Truman Tankard (Laser 4.7 most improved) - Louis Palmer
Musker Cup (Laser 4.7 racing) - Ollie Joy
Du Boulay Cup (Laser Radial racing) - Will Toogood
Evans Cup (Topaz most improved) - Lachlan McLucas
Palmer Trophy (Topaz Uno racing) - Lachlan McLucas
Seymour Prize (Tres racing) - Will H-Hamond & Robert Tidbury
Evelyn Morton Bowl (Team Racing) - Dark Blue Team (led by Richard Phillips & Sam H-Hamond)
Curling Cup (most improved Oppy 1) - Anna Powell
Middle Pot (Oppy racing) - Emma Stanley
Watt Prize (best kept Oppy during Oppy 1) - Archie Comparelli
Saturday was team racing day for the Redwings & the One-Designs. Having started with an excellent briefing and rules discussion led by the Club Coach - Matt Grier, the Redwings, in four teams of three and One-Designs in two teams of four enjoyed some close and challenging racing. Well done to Charles Evans who was the Race Officer and to the Blue Redwing team led by Nicko Robertson and the One-Design evens team led by Jos Coad.
On Sunday having had a morning points race, half a dozen One-Designs headed off to Cowes in readiness for the Classic Regatta. For the Redwings meanwhile, it was the annual race around the West Princessa buoy for the Princessa Trophy; well done to the younger generation - Matt Alexander in No 18 Harlequin, Rosie Gosling in No 45 Gosling, Henry Andreae in No 3 Prawn and Jo Greenwood in No 4 Rosetta - who took the first four places.
Sunday afternoon was also the EWCC Laser 4.7 & Oppy Regatta that BSC was hosting. It was great to see the contingents who made the effort to come over from Gurnard SC & Royal Victoria YC. Fortunately the breeze remained manageable and the full programme of 3 races was achieved. Although originally intended for just Laser 4.7s and Oppies, there were in fact three Laser Radials along with fourteen Laser 4.7s and seventeen Oppies which made for some excellent racing. The winners were as follows:
Laser Radial - Jon Evans RVYC; George Downer RVYC/BSC & Ed N-Luxmoore (BSC)
Laser 4.7 - Harry Blowers (GSC); Sophie Baker (RVYC); Emma Baker (RVYC)
Oppy - Archie Goodwin (BSC); Tom White (RVYC); Oscar Chalmers (BSC)
16 - 17 July
Strong wind warnings kept the keelboats on their moorings on both days - pity as the tides were nice. Strong winds & rain made life difficult for Laser/Topaz Week & Oppy 1 that started over the weekend. Just not fair!
9 - 10 July - no racing early tides. However great to see the Sunbeams (9), X-ODs (12) & Swallows (6) from Itchenor who sailed over to make up for the absence of sailing on the 125th Jubilee Regatta Weekend.
2 - 3 July
What a change in the weather from a couple of weeks ago, but such is life! Saturday was the annual long distance race for the Zanen Trophy with seven Redwings & seven One Designs racing together on handicap. With only a light southerly breeze forecast, the Race Officers decided against sending the fleet too far afield in case it dropped away. With the One-Designs using their genoas, a handicap of 11 minutes per hour meant it was going to be close if any them sailed really well, and Donald Biddle in No 5 did just that and came in well ahead of the rest of the One-Designs to emerge as the overall winner by just 26 seconds ahead of Colin Samuelson in No 11 Redwing Toucan. Matt Alexander in No 18 Harlequin followed Toucan over the line with Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II less than 20 seconds later. James Row in No 8 One-Design was the second BOD home and on handicap was 5th, Jos Coad in No 3 was third and 7th respectively.
Only four Redwings & five One-Designs took advantage of the Force 3 southerly and bright sunshine on Sunday. Not to be thwarted after the previous days narrow defeat, Colin Samuelson in Toucan emerged the winner after the lead changed on each round; Matt Alexander in Harlequin was second having been ahead on round one. Meri Benham in Paroquet having been in front on round two had to make do with third place. In the One-Designs meanwhile, after an excellent meal in the Club the previous evening, it was Susie Beart in No 5 who lead on each round to finish 2 minutes ahead of Charles Harcourt-Smith in No 8. John Deacon was third in No 6.
Well done to Charles Evans & Robert Owen who both passed their Powerboat Instructors Course that finished on Sunday afternoon.
25 - 26 June - no racing programmed, early tides. A windy Round the Island Race! The Bembridge Lifeboat helped in 10 incidents including towing a capsized Dragonfly trimaran back to off the Lifeboat Station.
18 - 19 June - Jubilee Regatta
Alas, the weather conspired against the sailing extravaganza that we had all worked so hard to achieve with wet and windy conditions on Friday which meant that the majority of visiting entries were unable to get to Bembridge and then it was just plain windy on Saturday. However, it was still a great weekend!
Having set off on time to try to run the keelboat racing on Saturday morning, PRO, Jonathan Peel wisely decided to abandon racing before the start in the face of the strong SW breeze that failed to abate and gusted 40 knots at one stage. Disappointing but the decision was the only sensible option. However, in the hopes that the some Dinghy and Illusion sailing would be possible tucked up under the protection of St Helens Duver, a gallant group of four Fast Handicap sailors (two Solos, and Europe & a Laser full rig), sixteen Scows & ten Illusions set forth. Despite the gusty conditions that resulted in a number of capsizes, particularly in the Scow fleet, everyone had fun and certainly justified the decision to race.
After a fun inter Class/Club Petanque competition (won by the Commodore's team), Saturday evening's party started with a somewhat depleted prize giving for the three inshore classes who managed to race. Well done to Martyn Davies in his Solo who won the fast Handicap, James Wilson who won the Scows and Mark Downer the Illusions. There were a number of special prizes awarded including one for the Vice Commodore - Philip Bown - who survived both of the Illusion races.
Then it was time to party! Despite the disappointment over the sailing, the atmosphere was fantastic with all 430 members, guests and visitors attending determined to help us celebrate the Club's 125th Anniversary. Well done to all the organisers, helpers and staff - it was a great evening.
As planned, the Club was open and ready to go at 09:00 for Brunch (well breakfast really). On the water, the four Hamble X-ODs and the one boat from Itchenor along with two Swallows headed off home while six Darings and four Victorys each had a short race before their passage race back to Cowes & Portsmouth. Well done to Richard Acland in Dauntless (3) and Mark Dennington in Ziva (Z78) who won their respective classes. The One-Designs meanwhile, achieved their planned sail past in front of the Commodore & Raymond Seymour's widow Mary on board Mary Anne just outside the harbour entrance to mark their 75th anniversary. They and the Redwings then headed out for a challenging race in the SW 5-6 breeze. Well done to Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II who won the Redwing Race and to D Orange who lead the One-Design fleet from the start line to win convincingly.
Results:
Fast Handicap (4 entries, 1 race Saturday)
1. Martyn Davies - Solo
2. Richard Coleman - Solo
Solent Scow (16 entries - 2 races Saturday)
1. 625 - James Wilson
2. 565 - Michael Orange
3. 591 - Piers Egerton-Warburton
Illusions (9 entries - 2 races Saturday)
1. 124 - Mark Downer
2. 101 - Bruce Huber
3. 131 - James Axtell
Darings (6 entries - 1 race Sunday)
1. 3 - Richard Acland
2. 15 - David Gower
3. 11 - Charlie Sichel
Victory (4 entries - 1 race Sunday)
1. Z78 - Mark Dennington
2. Z54 - Geoff Dixon
3. Z75 - Nick Benham
Redwings - 12 entries - 1 race Sunday)
1. 24 - Joe Robertson
2. 30 - James Wilson
3. 2 - Rupert MacInnes
Bembridge One-Design (10 entries - 1 race Sunday)
1. 11 - D Orange
2. 3 - Jos Coad
3. 1 - Peter Summerhayes
BODA Report - BODA had planned to have a sailpast to celebrate their 75th anniversary on Saturday but the wind conditions were far too extreme with the wind gusting force 8; nonetheless helms and crew got onto their boats to prepare for racing more in hope than expectation which was duly confirmed when the news came through that the race officers had (sensibly) abandoned all keelboat racing. The Class duly retired to the bar to discuss what might have been and watched the Scows and Illusions flying out of the harbour.
On Sunday the weather was a stiff 4 to 5 and BODA held their sailpast with full sail (as opposed to storm sails), sailing into the harbour from Old Church in line and number order. The salute was taken by the Commodore, Mary Seymour and John & Katie Harbord-Hamond on the Mary-Ann; Raymond Seymour was there in spirit!
Ten boats then sailed out of the harbour again to the start line out near Ruthven where the wind was freshening to 5/6. Nine boats started in wild conditions, no 5 having thought better of competing; no 6 followed shortly after the start of the race which was to Drumhead, Rythven, twice round and finishing at Drum. The wind stabilised at a 5 gusting 6 and D Orange (11) got a very good start to be some 200 yards ahead at the first mark, a lead she would never relinquish. The race for second place was very exciting with 4 boats finishing within 30 seconds of each other. Jos Coad (3), who had been 7th at the first mark, just pipped Peter Summerhayes (1) on the line with Mark Grz (9) and Robin Joy (10) following very close behind. They were followed home by James Row (8), Norman Marshall (7) and Martin Bonham (2). Congratulations to D who won the special Regatta trophy – a painting by Becky Samuelson. This is hers to keep, but as no-one in the Class was able to see it, D is kindly bringing it to the Annual Dinner.
11 - 12 June - Swallow Nationals
Busy weekend with the Swallow Nationals even though numbers were somewhat lower than in previous years. Nonetheless the ten boats that entered still had some close & very competitive racing despite quite extraordinary weather & wind conditions. Indeed on Saturday the breeze was all over the place and certainly kept the PRO - Jonathan Peel - and the mark layers on their toes. Race 1 was set up for a North Westerly - Andrew Reid in S67 Solitude emerged the winner, ahead of Carolyn Brigg in S82 Marengo, with Malcolm Green in S74 Archon in third place. Race 2 after a general recall was abandoned half way up the first beat as a South South Easterly breeze kicked in. Harry Roome in S3 Skua found the breeze offshore and came in ahead of Carolyn in Marengo, with Tom Clarence-Smith in S80 Blue Tit in third. No sooner had most finished, then the classic South Westerly filled in and all - bar Carolyn who did not start after a port & starboard incident with Archon after the finish - had a cracking good final race of the day. Harry Roome in Skua scored his second win of the day ahead of passage race winners on Friday Gwaihir (S93) helmed by Mark Strucket. Simon Slater in S70 Curlew was third.
On Sunday the wind was considerably stronger for races 4 & 5 and it was very much a matter of survival of the fitest. Three boats decided better of it and two of them headed back to Chichester before the start of Race 4 and by the end of Race 5 there were only 5 boats still competing! Mark Strukett and his crew in Gwaihir were clearly in their element and won both races ahead of Harry Roome in Skua and Simon Slater in Curlew.
Well done to Harry Roome & his crew in S3 Skua who emerged as this year's winner with 2 firsts, 2 seconds & a fifth. The full results can be viewed and/or downloaded from the Championship website and click to view some photos
There was no Redwing or One-Design racing due to the early/late tides.
PS - a couple of extracts from e-mails received since Sunday .... "reason for us not putting the spinnaker up in the last race was that the boat was filling up with water and slowly sinking. We had to do a lot of pumping. The boat started to nose dive..................by the time Stewart reached Itchenor the bow was nearly under water!" & "As you may have heard we had an adventurous trip home: the Chichester Bar lived up to its fearsome reputation in a southerly blow with huge 10ft waves breaking all around (and sometimes over) us. Still we all made it and will have bar stories for years to come….."
4 - 5 June
Not brilliant sailing weather but it certainly could have been worse! Seven Redwings started on Satten that did n the variable breeze. Colin Samuelson in Toucan came home 10 seconds ahead of Andrew Eddy in Plover. Tom Chetwood in Ladybird was third, a good minute later. There were only 3 One-Designs out and Sarah Marshall in No 7 romped home over 5 minutes ahead of Willie Cobb in No 6. William Bland in No 12 was third some distance behind.
Although dull and overcast with spots of rain and a lumpy sea, the NNE breeze was steadier on Sunday which allowed the Race Officers, Tony Spalding & Crispin Kenyon to set Ruthven to Pepe twice round. With an increased fleet of Redwings, Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II managed to stay out in front and pip Colin Samuelson in Toucan by a mere 3 seconds. Nick Rowton-Lee in Banzai II was third over a minute later. Still only 3 One-Designs but this time it was James Row in No 8 who came home first ahead of No 7 and No 12.
28 - 30 May - late May Bank Holiday
On Saturday, after a very successful Rules Clinic, seven Redwings and six One-Designs took to the water for 3 short races each. The conditions were a strong south-westerly Force 5 gusting 6 and cold; [indeed after racing several sailors came ashore feeling very wet and cold!]. Trio was moored in a pretty windy spot near Fitzwilliam with the windward mark laid near Under-Tyne and the leeward buoy laid some 200 yards north of Trio. The course was twice round for all races except the last BODA race which was reduced to once round; with Club Coach Matt & Club Secretary Mike in RIBs taking video of the starts & leeward mark rounding, boats were getting round the course in about 20 minutes.
In the first race, Tom Chetwood in Ladybird showed Joe Roberston in Red Gauntlet II a clean pair of heels, with Matt Alexander & John Raymond in Harlequin in third and Robin Ebsworth (with Class Captain Fraser Morrison crewing) in fourth. In the second race, with the fleet reduced to five boats, the finishing sequence was exactly the same for the first four boats. In the final race of the day, with the fleet still further reduced to just three boats, Joe got his revenge coming in ahead of Harlequin and Ladybird. Sadly for Tom he then realised that he had not signed his annual entry form so was scored DNS for all three races.
In the first BODA race D Orange (11) came home ahead of Norman Marshall (7), Roy Burrows (9) and John Harbord-Hamond (4). D was then forced to retire due to her gib shackles coming adrift, which left five boats; in the second race John Harbord-Hamond came home ahead of Norman Marshall (7), William Bland (12) and James Row (8), who was sailing single-handed! Norman Marshall then suffered the same fate as D, reducing the fleet further to four boats for the final race. Again John Harbord-Hamond came home ahead of William Bland (12), James Row (8) and Roy Burrows (9), who didn’t actually finish due to going round the outer mark of the finishing line the wrong side. He was too cold to worry! James Row was very skilfull sailing single-handed in a steady 18-20 knots with gusts of up to 28 knots coming through.
On Sunday three Redwings and three One-Designs (John Harbord-Hamond, James Row and Jos Coad), braved a force 6 gusting 8 to sail from Under-Tyne to the start line by Drumhead only to find that the race – sensibly – was aborted. As John H-H said it was fun to sail in but not to race in – a very apt description.
On Monday the wind had abated and a leisurely southerly force 3 encouraged eight Redwings and seven One-Designs boats out – indeed it would have been eight and eight if William Bland had checked the start time! James Wilson assisted by his mother-in-law Caroline, set a course from Patch to Under-Tyne, Rythven, twice round and then Under-Tyne, K and finishing at Garland. The Redwing finish was particularly close with Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II finshing an inch or so ahead of Colin Samuelson in Toucan; Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence was third.
In the One-Designs, Anna Row (8) was chased closely by D Orange (11) and John Harbord-Hamond (4) until Rythven second time round. She then managed to get well ahead and finished comfortably ahead of 11 and 4. Sophie Bonham in no 2 sailed excellently to come in 4th, followed by Jos Coad (9) and John Deacon (6). Norman Marshall (7) retired (in disgust) having lost 300 yards going around Under-Tyne the wrong way after the first round!
Congratulations to Joe Roberston who won the wekkend's Gunston Trophy and to John Harbord-Hamond who won the Lowry Corry Trophy
21 - 22 May
Saturday saw glorious weather with a southerly force 3 to 4. Colin Samuelson started the seven Redwings & four One-Designs at Nainby and sent them on a short beat to Pepe with a run to Wreck three times round. In the event, the Redwings were shortened to two rounds and the One-Designs only went as far as Jonah on the second round.
As the leading fleet, the Redwings had a few navigational problems - with the exception of Meri Benham in Paroquet who had some local knowledge - finding Wreck which is of course a SVYC buoy that is rarely used by Bembridge Race Officers. On the long beat back to Pepe Nick Rowton-Lee in Banzai II built up a good lead ahead of Joe Roberston in Red Gauntlett II, however Joe managed to almost catch him on the last leg and they finished half a length apart. Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence was third, & Carina Saner in Redwing was fourth.
In the One-Designs meanwhile, Anna Row (8) was just ahead of Jos Coad (1) at both Pepe and Wreck but then opened a large lead on the beat back to Pepe, leaving the rest of the fleet for dead. Although the lead was reduced on both legs to Jonah and back, she won comfortably from Jos Coad, who was followed home by James Palmer (3) and William Bland (12).
14 - 15 May
Despite the early start on Saturday, Robin Joy - the One-Design organiser for the weekend - managed to get six boats out. The first start sequence was postponed to allow the F4 breeze to settle. With the fleet evenly split on the upwind legs and the breeze reducing and turning somewhat variable, it was Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 who finished just under 2 minutes ahead of Helen Mathieson in No 1. Robin Joy was 3 minutes behind, ahead of Donald Biddle in No 5 and Sarah Marshall in No 7. There were 4 Redwings out and despite the reducing wind speed the course was extended from 2 to 3 rounds to allow a better race. Michael MacInnes in Avocet led off the line and finished a good minute and a half ahead of Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence who managed to overtake Olav Cole in Goose on the final beat. Nick Wakefield in Bizarre was the back marker.
On Sunday, the forecast was such that the Redwingers decided to remain ashore - a pity but probably the right decision as there were a lot of white horses. The five One-Designs meanwhile had a lovely sail in the F4 northerly that backed about half way through the race to north westerly. Peter Summerhayes in No 1 just managed to hold off John Deacon in No 6. Mark Grz was third in No 9, Pat Spalding in No 12 was fourth and Ian Cheshire in No 7 was fifth.
7 - 8 May
Predictably, after two long weekends, rather low numbers for the weekend racing. Five Redwings & four One-Designs on Saturday reducing to four Redwings on Sunday. Pity as the weather was pretty good.
Fortunately the strong wind warning on Saturday did not materialize and it remained Force 3 to 4 SE throughout. The Redwings had a good race using Tara & Derrick (2), Footprint (S) and finished at Pepe. Close most of the way with Olav Cole out in No 38 Goose for the first time this season in the lead almost from the start. Nick Wakefield in No 35 Bizarre was able to hang on to 2nd just ahead of Joe Roberston in Red Gauntlett II. Nick Rowton-Lee in Banzai II was not far behind in 4th and Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence was 5th. The One-Designs meanwhile had a slightly reduced course with Britten rather than Derrick. James Row in No 8 developed a large lead and finished nearly 3 minutes ahead of William Bland in No 12, Peter Truman in No 9 and Norman Marshall in No 7.
The sun was out again on Sunday so it was a pity that there were only four boats racing. After a postponement mid-way through the start sequence when the SW F3 breeze backed some 30 degrees to the South, the Redwings had a good race to Under Tyne, Derrick, Under Tyne, Drum and Pepe. Although Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II led from the the first rounding of Under Tyne, the fickle breeze ensured that it was always going to be quite close with the small fleet splitting on the beats & the runs. Having been last round Under Tyne on the first leg, Olav Cole in Goose overtook Tom Scott in Siskin & Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence to secure a well deserved 2nd place and take the Coronation Cup for the weekend.
30 April - 2 May - Extended Early May Bank Holiday
After the quiet winds over Easter we had increasingly strong and challenging north-easterlies over the extended Bank Holiday weekend. At least with the wind in that direction, start lines just to the east of Pepe were the order of the day.
On the Saturday, in a force 4, the course for both classes was Ruthven to Pepe (2), however in the event both were shortened after the first round - the seven Redwings to Patch and back to Pepe, the six One-Designs to Footprint and back to Pepe. In the former, Colin Samuelson in No 11, Toucan, led almost from the start to finish a minute ahead of Matt Alexander in No 18 Harlequin. Fraser Morrsion in No 42 Skua was 3rd a minute later and Nick Rowton-Lee in the very smart looking Banzai II was a very creditable 4th. In the One-Designs, the front three boats were nip & tuck throughout but D Orange (11) overtook Samantha Cobb (8) from Pepe to Footprint and just managed to hold her off on the final run to win. Helen Mathieson (1) was a close third, followed by John Harbord-Hamond (4), Roy Burrows (9), Norman Marshall (7) and Willy Cobb (6).
In the meatime seven Illusions were out for their final race of the 2010 - 2011 winter season - the re-scheduled Woodford Long Distance Race. Because of the swell, David Bottom wisely kept them in the harbour for most of the time, however with Charlie Konig's assistance they did lay a mark just to the east of the Bembridge Groyne to provide something different on each round. With the line set pin end seemed favoured, however, Bruce Huber was early and had to go round, so Rudy Jurg and Raymond Simonds took the early lead and covered the rest of the fleet on the right side of the course. However with his local knowledge Bruce went left up the beat and despite having his 8 year old son Alexander also onboard built up a nice lead and took line honours, with Rudy and Raymond picking up 2nd & 3rd places.
On Sunday with the wind closer to force 5, the Redwings were sent up to Moreton and back to Pepe twice round. The race officer, Rob Mathieson, sensibly shortened the course for BODA to Fitzwilliam and back to Pepe twice round. The races finished with a short beat back to the finishing line. Nine Redwings started and Matt Alexander in No 18 harlequin led for most of the race and finished a minute ahead of Jo Roberston in No 24, Red Gauntlet II and Fraser Morrison in No 42 Skua. The previous day's winner Colin Samuelson had to retire having due to a problem furling Toucan's jib. There were also nine BOD’s and D Orange (11) got away from the fleet to win comfortably from John Deacon (6) who was closely followed home by Peter Summerhayes (1), Peter Truman (9), Robin Joy (10) and Charlie Harcourt-Smith (8). Norman Marshall (7) and Tim Bonham (2) were the final finishers, James Spalding (12) having retired.
On Monday the wind had risen to 5/6 with a very large sea running; the Redwings wisely decided not to go out but five BOD’s were prepared to brave the elements. This was reduced to 4 when no 7 (James Petit) thought better of it. The first race was to Patch, back to Pepe and then a short beat back to the finishing line. Jos Coad (8) sailed up the shoreline before crossing to Patch and got away from the fleet to win comfortably from Peter Summerhayes (1), D Orange (11) and Roy Burrows (9). The first three accepted the challenge of a short race to Footprint, Nainby and a finish in the Harbour. By now the wind had risen to 6 and the sea was rising all the time with some very big waves. No 8 was hit by a huge wave that had just started to break and went right over the boat - luckily, with the boat heeled over the water hit the mainsail and ran off rather than swamping the boat. No 11 took one wave and was literally airborne according to the race officers watching! Mike Samuelson, the race officer, with his six new race officers who were out putting the theory into practice sensibly decided that a short race was all that was needed in these conditions and D Orange (11) won from Jos Coad (8) and Peter Summerhayes (1). All participants had thoroughly enjoyed their sail in the extreme sea conditions that BOD’s had hardly ever, if ever, sailed in before.
Congratulations to Matt Alexander who won the Rewdings Quail Trophy and to D Orange who won the One-Designs Lowry-Corry Trophy.
22 - 25 April - Easter
The week-end saw glorious weather – certainly as good as seen in July & August when the hot steamy morning brings on the sea breezes mid-afternoon. On Friday and Saturday the race officers managed to get it absolutely right with the races being completed just before the wind dropped, albeit all boats needed a tow back into the harbour, as the tide had turned during the race. On Monday Mike Sam almost got it spot on but frustratingly the wind dropped half way down the leg from the Tide Gauge to Garland (where he shortened course), and only one boat out of the ten One-Designs that started – James Row in No 8 - managed to cross the finishing line. The other nine seethed and then reluctantly gave up. By dint of starting 10 minutes earlier, the Redwings managed a longer course but were also caught on the same leg to Garland. Much to the frustration of the lead boats (in particular Matt Alexander in Harlequin) the tide took them the wrong side of the buoy and in Matt's case he was unable to find the momentum to make it get back & so ended up retiring. James Wilson in Quail meanwhile spotted a shimmer of a breeze and ghosted across the line 5 minutes ahead of Mary Luxmoore-Styles in Capercaille with Andrew Eddy in Plover another 5 minutes behind.
On Friday, nine Redwings and eleven One-Designs ventured forth for their first race of the season. With a very light SE breeze, they started at Garland and did a triangle to Tara & Patch twice round. With the breeze dying the race officers (Crispin Kenyon, Susie Evans & Robert Owen) shortened the course to finish at Tara on the second time round. Colin Samuelson in Toucan was ahead from the start and finished two minutes ahead of James Wilson in Quail with Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II two minutes later. In the One-Design race, James Row got ahead and stayed there to the finish. He was followed home by David Shaw (1), Alexander Ross (4) and Donald Biddle (5) whose positions had changed several times during the race. After them was Jos Coad (11), Robin Joy (10), Andrew Palmer (3), William Bland (12) & Mark Grz (9). Nos 2 and 6 retired.
On Saturday the course for the ten Redwings and eight One-Designs was from Britten to Under-Tyne and back, finishing at Under-Tyne. Colin Samulson in Toucan notched up his 2nd win after a very close battle with Matt Alexander in Harlequin. Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II was third about a minute and a half behind. In the One-Designs, D Orange (11) just beat Mark Grz (10) and these were followed by Anna Row (8), Rob Mathieson (1), William Bland (12), Willie Cobb (6), Peter Truman (9) and Alexander Ross (4).
Well done to Colin Samuelson who won the Mackinnon Trophy and to James Row who takes home the Oppenheim Trophy.
Twelve Illusions meanwhile raced in the harbour on Saturday & Sunday under the watchfull eye of Robert Ownen and Vernon Stratton; on Saturday it was for the re-scheduled St Georges' Day Trophy. After some close racing, Rudy Jurg now has the picture to hang on his wall for 12 months. Justin Biddle was 2nd & Philip Woodford an excellent 3rd. On Sunday, they raced for the Easter Bunny (a new prize dreamt up by the Class Admiral Vernon Stratton). Andrew Christie clearly enjoyed the light airs and was the well deserved winner ahead of Philip Bown & Alastair Speare-Cole.
Finally, well done to the twelve members who passed their PBL2 Course on Friday & Saturday & the twelve who passed the 1st Aid Course on Monday.
16 - 17 April - both days racing cancelled due to a distihy rescheduled for Sat 24th April and the Woodford Long Distance Race to Sat 30th Apr
Mike Sam & Charles Evans both attended a Regional Mark Layers Course in Cowes on Sunday.
9 - 10 April - no racing, late tides albeit beautiful weather and plenty of light!
2 - 3 April - Vernon's Easter Cup
The Vernon Easter Cup has been sailed for over 30 years when the class was established in Bembridge by Vernon Stratton. This is a popular event and it attracted over 20 sailors for 6 races over the weekend. Saturday was raced inside Bembridge Harbour in a South Westerly breeze 3-4 Beaufort. The sun was out and proved to be a perfect day for sailing although some big wind shifts and variations in wind speeds across the course made it complicated. In these conditions is the very ‘cool’ James Meaning thrives and he quickly took the lead to win Race one. In Race two it was Rudy Jurg who choose the pin end start and although cornered on the left by another boat it paid off and reached the top mark first and was able to hold onto his lead for the remaining legs. Bruce Huber came in second and James Meaning third. Raymond Simonds looked good but parked his boat on the beach. Nick Foden Patterson had his best result this season with a fourth place.
In the last race of the day it was the top guns again James Meaning, Bruce Huber and Mark Downer who sailed quickly away from the rest of the fleet and James took the gun again.
On Sunday the fleet moved outside Bembridge Harbour for 3 very long races in a South Westerly breeze varying from 2-4 Beaufort with some awkward waves produced by a few jet skis and passing powerboats. Pin end start was favoured although the big names could be found on both ends of the line. Rudy Jurg and Mark Downer took the lead and looked good on the first upwind and downwind leg. However halfway up the second beat the wind shifted at least 20 degrees favouring those boats on the right and James Meaning got back in front with Mark Downer. The latter however won the race with James Meaning in second and Sue Thomas in third. Rudy Jurg squeezed in a 4th fourth place.
Race five was firstre-scheduled a general recall and race officer Mike Samuelson raised the black flag holding the fleet back for the start. Bruce Huber was not deterred by this sailed close to the line to go off into the far distance. James Meaning followed and Mark Downer was some distance behind. Rupert Holmes came in 4th.
In Race 6, the last race of the day, the fight was on for 2nd and 3rd place. James Meaning having already won the weekend. Mark Downer sailed to a comfortable lead. Taking risks Bruce Huber to secure a top place he infringed on Piers Thomas at the weather mark giving overall second place to Mark. On the water Piers Thomas would thereby finish 3rd and Ropert Holmes claiming another 4th place.
At the prize giving Class Admiral Vernon Stratton had organised a long list of prices. James Meaning winning Vernons Easter Cup, Mark Downer 2nd , Bruce Huber 3rd and Rudy Jurg 4th,Piers Thomas 5th and Rupert Holmes 6th, First Lady Sue Thomas, First Over 70 Philip Woodford.
Because high tide is very late this coming Easter it was decided to race for the cup last weekend however it was agreed to attempt the race very late in the afternoon over the Easter weekend.
26 - 27 Mar - no racing, late tides
19 - 20 March 2011 - 2011 National Championships
Since the start of the Illusion season in October the class has enjoyed a very steady turnout of 20 plus boats for most events, this despite some cold conditions and water temperatures which felt colder than ever.
However with modern sailing kit it’s easier to stay warm and the cold has not stopped the enthusiasm to get out on the water. Competition has been though with some of the top Solent sailors in sharpening their skills in this one-design class.
A fleet of nearly 30 boats gathered last Saturday for the 2011 Illusion Nationals. They were greeted by beautiful sunshine and light winds sailing just of Silver Beach outside Bembridge Harbour. Unfortunately a steady breeze did not materialise and after 2 hours the fleet went back to shore – wind appeared just as the last boats were craned out.
As the Nationals need to consist of a minimum of 3 races with a maximum of 6 it was decided to at least sail 5 on Sunday. An even greater number of sailors turned up (29) and the wind varied from 6-12 knots with scattered windless patches which would catch out a few people. The race officer set a long course to spread the fleet out and avoid first weather mark pile ups. Having initially threatened to use the I flag , it soon became apparent that the Black was needed throughout after the first attempt to start.
Bruce Huber showed he was keen, took the lead and take first place. In race two it was James Meaning who sailed of in the distance and he will be a force to be reckoned with in the XOD class which he normally sails judging by his top performances this year. In race three it was Raymond Simonds who had a great start and to his delight claimed first place for this race. He would repeat the same in race four. In the last race of the National Championship top position was still wide open.
Class Commodore Bruce Huber was on fire again after a previous race with an average result and took first place just beating Julia Bailey who had been sailing in front for most of the race.
However with only one discard it was crucial to sail a steady series. This Mark Downer did who regularly came from the middle of the fleet to sail to the front and winning the National Championship. One point behind was Raymond Simonds and in 3rd place was James Meaning. As it was the National Championships, additional prices were given out for 1st over 65 year old Philip Bown, 1st over 78 Philip Woodford, First Lady Sue Thomas and Most Improved was Colin Simonds.
With the Illusion season nearly drawing to a close there are only 3 more race weekends with the next being 2nd and 3rd of April
Finally, some excellent footage of racing by Graham Bailey of the event on links below.
Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3
Clip 4
Clip 5
Here Raymond Simonds is walking his boat home!
12 - 13 Mar 2011 - no racing, wrong tides.
5 - 6 March 2011 - Stratton Spring Plate
Nineteen boats out over the weekend. Reasonable sailing breeze both days and not too cold. Well done to Mark Downer who regained the trophy having allowed Raymond Simonds to break his unbeaten record of 9 wins last year. Graham Sunderland was 2nd and Piers Thomas was 3rd on a count back. Fuller report to follow.
26 - 27 February 2011 - no racing, early tides.
19 - 20 February 2011 - Valentine Trophy
Very light and shifty winds created challenging conditions for the 23 Illusion helms who raced this weekend. Although the vagaries of the wind may have appeared to be a lottery to some observers, three skippers - Mark Downer, Graham Sunderland and Raymond Simonds - were consistently at the front of the pack, claiming all but four podium finishes over the six races.
Mark took the first race, with Graham second and Raymond third. In the second race Raymond finished ahead of Graham, with Rupert Holmes third. Race three saw Justin Biddle in third, with Mark second and Raymond taking his second win of the event, giving him a two-point lead over Mark at the end of the first day.
On Sunday the racing moved outside Bembridge harbour, where competitors were met by a north-easterly wind varying from 4-8 knots, and a surprisingly large onshore swell. One of the biggest challenges of the day was therefore to maintain enough power to drive through the waves in the many patches of light wind.
Graham led round the course to an easy victory in the first race, with Raymond trailing Mark to take third. However, Raymond proved he had the better measure of the conditions, by winning the next two races, and taking the overall title with a score of just seven points.
The battle for second and third places was much more intense, with Graham and Mark both finishing on 12 points in a tie break could only be decided on the results for the races they respectively counted as a discard.
Colin Simonds and Justin Biddle both scored second places in one race on Sunday, but neither had a sufficiently consistent series to challenge the three leaders. Jo Downer also found good pace on Sunday to take the ladies' prize.
1. Raymond Simonds 7 points
2. Graham Sunderland 12 points
3. Mark Downer 12 points
4. Colin Simonds 24 points
5. Justin Biddle 26 points
6. Barnaby Edwards 31 points
12 - 13 February 2011 - no racing programmed, wrong tides.
5 - 6 February 2011 - Match Racing
Despite what some of the experts thought, it really was too windy on Saturday to sensibly contemplate Match Racing - Chimet was consistent at 28 knts and the BSC weather station was showing a 25 knot average! However, conditions improved slightly on Sunday and with at least 5 knots less breeze it was decided to go ahead. So a slightly reduced line up of twelve intrepid helms, six umpires & five Race Officers took to the water and raced in the lee of Fisherman's Pontoon. Although at times it was gusting 25 knts, five round-robin flights, semi finals and finals were completed before the tide dropped too far.
In the gusty conditions it was challenging to keep the boats afloat whilst keeping and eye out on starting procedures and stay in close contact with your opponents. Also keeping the main and jib trimmed whilst pumping out water was and endurance game and several boats could be seen sailing well below their waterlines.
After the first round robins, 8 sailors got send home which left 4 match racers to battle it our for the Illusion Match Racing Championship.
Bruce Huber was unbeaten in the round robin's and easily beat Rupert Holmes in the first semi-final; Graham Bailey meanwhile had a good battle with Mark Downer in the other semi but came out 2-1 up. In the best of 3 final, Graham won the first race, but had to take a penalty in the 2nd which allowed Bruce to win on the line. The final race went to Graham who was able to control the race from the start and taking home the silverware. In the "petit" final, Rupert Holmes had a surprise win in the first race over Mark Downer but Mark powered through the last two races to take 3rd place.
Videos by Graham (Bailey):-
29 - 30 January 2011 - no racing, early tides.
22 - 23 January 2011 - Piers January Jacket 2011
On a brisk Saturday morning with a Northerly Force 3 breeze with occasional sunny spells, 20 Illusion sailors came out to play in Bembridge. Water temperature is still 3ºC and the air was not much warmer so it was multiple layers of thermal gear. Race Officer Mike Samuelson decided to race outside the harbour just of Silver Beach to allow a better course to be set. There was a small chop which made things interesting and just as some of the marks were being laid the rescue boat broke down. Wisely it was therefore decided to sail inside the harbour. With a fast mark laying boat missing a course was set which was not entirely square so at the first start pin end was the place to be and Rayomond Simonds took off. However, he was closely followed by the Baileys, first Julia and then Graham. Despite various attempts by Graham to overtake Julia held her husband back right to the finish line.
In Race two James Axtell discovered the importance of a good start and together with Graham Bailey, Philip Bown and Rudy Jurg sailed away from the fleet. Graham build up a considerable lead, followed by James Axtell. Rudy Jurg just beat Philip Bown on the finish line to his delight.
In the last race of the day it was the Baileys again who took the lead and it was Julia who beat her husband to the finish (again!). Rupert Holmes, who despite some spinnaker troubles, took 3rd place and Barnaby Edwards, who had been released from family duties for the weekend, a well deserved 4th place.
On Sunday the breeze had increased a bit to Force 4 from North North Easterly direction, overcast and grey (typical English winter weather)! However this did not stop the enthusiasm on the water. Race Officer Hugh Eddows set an almost perfectly square course and port, middle and starboard up the beat seemed to work on different occasions. In Race one it was the ‘Flying Dutchman’ Rudy Jurg who nailed the pin end at high speed and together with Raymond Simonds and Graham Bailey sailed away from the fleet. It’s ‘easy’ when you have clear air! Rudy Jurg held on and took the gun. In the second race all the top boys and girls decided for pin end again. After a Generall Recall and the Black Flag coming into operation Mark Downer and Graham Bailey looked good, Rudy Jurg who was with them but could not hold on, tacked early, ducked 4 boats but came out first at the top mark to his own amazement. He did not give this position away and took the gun for a second time on the day. Mark Downer's other half, Jo Downer had tacked across early with Rudy Jurg on the first beat and finished a very credible 4th place. Note that each race consists of 3 beats and two runs so you have to keep working hard as there are so many mark rounding’s and shifty winds that there is plenty of opportunity to lose on tactics and boat handling.
Graham Bailey had already pretty much secured the series but still needed a top placing in the last race, however 2-4th place would need to be fought for. Despite a square line the pin end always seems to attract the top talent but with shifty winds there was plenty of place changing between Graham Bailey and Mark Downer who had the lead and Raymond Simonds and Rudy Jurg who were fighting for third place. It was a close race between this group but never under estimate the ladies because with some good tactical sailing Julia Bailey joined the top group and passed Raymond Simonds to take a fourth place. Eventually Mark Downer would take the gun followed by Graham Bailey in second and Rudy Jurg in third.
Overall victory for the Piers January Jacket went to Graham Bailey, second Dutchman Rudy Jurg and third on count back, Julia Bailey.
For some video (by Mike Sam - a bit fuzzy at full screen sorry!) of the last two races on Sunday click on the following links:
Start 1 Race 5
Start 2 Race 5
Start Race 6
First Windward Mark - Race 6
Illusion Facebook Page
The next regatta is the Invitation Match Racing on 5-6th February and rumour has it that some top international match racers will descend on Bembridge Harbour!
15 - 16 Jan 2011 - No racing programmed, wrong tides.
8 - 9 Jan 2011 - Ice Breaker 2010 - 2011
The Ice Breaker Trophy is traditionally raced for by the hardy Illusion sailors in Bembridge Harbour over the New Year, so was a week later than normal this year. Sea temperatures were a mild 6c and air temperature was similar although over both days the sun came out to make it a very pleasant for the 18 racers who braved the elements. Although not as many sailors as the previous weekend the calibre of people was no less.
With a relatively new race team there was some confusion with regards to the first start as multiple hoots could be heard, was somebody over the line or general recall? A few boats slowed down and Piers Thomas turned back but when looking at the flags it was the OCS flag and not General Recall. Although both Mark Downer and Graham Bailey had an average start they quickly worked themselves to the front. Robert Holbrook who is a relative newcomer to the class also managed to work his way up the fleet with good use of the many wind shifts. They would finish in that order.
With the race committee having obtained a new hooter, race two got off with a flying start. This time it was Rupert Holmes who played the right hand side of the course and took a big lead to win the race. He was followed by Rudy Jurg and Piers Thomas in third. Despite the tricky conditions Robin Ebsworth managed a very credible fourth place, his best race this season.
In the last race of Saturday’s racing Rudy Jurg started on port tack and together with Graham Bailey and built up a marginal lead but with the wind shifting and varying in strength within a couple boat lengths it was on the last long beat that Sue Thomas took second place, followed by Mark Downer. Still clinging to 4th place Rudy Jurg was overtaken on the line by Julia Bailey when they split tacks at the bottom marks.
Sundays racing got off in a clear blue sky and Graham Bailey, Rudy Jurg took the lead with James Meaning in hot pursuit. The two front runners seemed to work in unison but both got caught up in a large fleet of dinghies from Brading Haven Yacht Club which enabled James Meaning to jump in front as he took the opposite marker at the downwind gate.
In the second race of the day it was Mark Downer who regained his form and together with Rudy Jurg build up a small lead although Julia Bailey was always in close contact and finished third. Front runner Graham Bailey went right up the first beat which did not pay and never recovered by finishing 10th. Another newcomer to the fleet and first time out this season was Rob Gray. Having found how his steering pedals work and which string does what after coming second from last in the previous race he finished 5th in this.
The last race was again one with big wind shifts and patches of light airs and it was hard work for everyone with nobody running away but it was at the last upwind mark in which Rudy Jurg lost 3 places within a few boat lengths letting in James Meaning, Julia Bailey and Piers Thomas who followed Mark Downer to the finish line.
Thanking the race officers Charles Evans, James Row and Robert Owen Illusion Class Admiral Vernon Stratton presented the prices to first placed Mark Downer, second placed Rudy Jurg and Graham Bailey in third just beating his wife Julia Bailey into fourth.
Latest pictures will shortly be posted on Bembridge Sailing Club website and Facebook page.
Next racing is 22/23 January for the Piers January Jacket.
2 - 3 Jan 2011 - Christmas Cracker
After a few weeks of rest in which the Illusion Class in Bembridge was unable to race due to unfavourable tides, 29 sailors came out for the Christmas Cracker on the weekend of 2-3 January. Probably the biggest turn out for a one-design regatta in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year!
Racing was inside the harbour in a chilly varying breeze from North Easterly direction Force 2-3. After plenty of on the water banter and new year’s wishes, racing got underway almost on time. A surprisingly clean start with all the top sailors favouring the pin end squeezing anybody out who could not keep up. James Meaning, who only came back in the class this year, took off in a high speed mode to lead all the way round. He was followed some distance behind by Bruce Huber and Piers Thomas. Some of the other usual front runners struggled to free themselves from the middle pack which is improving after each regatta.
Race 2 was again pin end favoured but this time Bruce Huber took the lead by some margin. In the varying conditions it was a game of snakes and ladders and Graham Sunderland worked his way into a third place. In the middle of the pack Graham Bailey collided with James Meaning in a port and starboard incident. However his wife Julia Bailey made up for her husband’s short comings by finishing a very credible fourth place. Much of the race she was closely followed by Rudy Jurg but he hooked himself on a mooring line just in front of the finish line and had to lower himself in freezing waters to get loose and finished eventually second from last!
Race 3 saw Bruce Huber taking off again but this time it was Raymond Simonds who was in hot pursuit together with his brother Colin. The brothers are among a few other vociferous helms who keep the rest of the fleet well entertained by their conversations about wind and tactics!
On the second day of racing the wind was a variable Easterly swinging to the South for the second race. Wind speed was 0-2 Bft max. The race officer made the difficult and perhaps unfortunate decision to sail inside the harbour as outside conditions seemed to be slightly steadier.
Race leader Bruce Huber was unable to race on Day 2 due to family duties which left the competition wide open for a number of sailors to take the overall prize. In a light breeze Race 4 got off to an even start but Raymond Simonds won by big margin aided by a nice personal breeze and lift on the left hand side of course. Pro sailor and author Graham Sunderland scored 2nd and Graham Bailey 3rd. Jo Downer, who so far had only scored high teens on the previous day, scored a very credible 6th place. Not just by luck, but good sailing!
In what turned out to be the final race, the race officer initially called a General Recall and then a postponment as the wind veered to the south by at least 90 degrees. A new course was set but this meant a very short beat so a clean start was paramount. Pin end again worked well but David Franks decided to start on port which meant a number of boats had to take avoiding action and a loud hail of expletives could be heard, he will probably not be doing that again! It was the legendary Philip Woodford who despite being in his 80’s took the lead, remained calm on the downwind leg and took the gun on a shortened course in the dying breeze. A hungry pack of sailors followed and it was a luck of the draw how you got through the gate, chaos is best to describe it and some of the rules of sailing seemed no longer to be applied! Although the right hand mark was favoured due to the large cluster of boats tangled into each other, left was the cleaner option and several people came in from behind to get a good result. The last race of the day was abandoned due to lack of wind. Graham Sunderland was the overall winner followed closely by an elated Colin Simonds with James Meaning third.
An interesting set of videos can be viewed on-line shot by Graham Bailey who sailed much of the first day’s regatta one handed! An insider’s guide to sailing Illusions! Further information, videos and photos can be found on the following sites:
Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3
Clip 4
Illusion Facebook Page
Next racing is 8/9th January for the Ice Breaker Trophy.
Christmas - No racing
11 - 12 Dec - Inter Club Team Racing
Although the numbers of teams (6) were two lower than the last couple of years, there was still some excellent racing for this year's Inter Club Team Racing Championships over the weekend. Conditions for once were almost ideal allowing competitors to concentrate on their tactics rather than on survival! Sadly the BSC team (Alastair Speare-Cole & Matt Alexander) was knocked out in the round robin heats on Saturday, but congratulations to the Simonds brothers (Raymond & Colin) who beat the Downers (Jo & Mark) in the final. Although the semi's were all 2-0 wins and the finals were both 3-0, the racing was very tight and more often than not inches separated boats at the finish.
Many thanks to the RO team lead by Jonathan Peel and the Umpires lead by Barry Dyer.
4 - 5 Dec - Bailey Bowl
After snow storms in the previous weekends sailing, this weekend proved to be the opposite with no wind although still very cold. After deep snow on Thursday and Friday it had all but disappeared for the first day racing on Saturday. Conditions however in many other parts of the country prevented many sailors making it to Bembridge Harbour.
Sailing was for the Bailey Bowl, a new cup kindly donated by renown international sailors Julia and Graham Bailey. Ten sailors made it and keenly launched their boats but after an hour waiting for wind and developing signs of hypothermia race officer Mike Samuelson decided to organise a paddle race for the Illusions to keep the sailors warm. A proper start line and course was set out and surprisingly nearly the whole fleet participated. After some vigour's rowing action Joe Robertson came in first with Mark Downer a few inches behind. Rudy Jurg came in third. With everybody warmed up again it was unfortunately decided to postpone racing for the day as no wind appeared.
On Sunday fifeteen sailors turned up and 16 year old race officer Robert Owen set a challenging course outside the harbour along Silver Beach. Wind was North Easterly direction Force 1-2 with big shifts and wind holes. It was all made more interesting with ice cold mist blowing through the course on various occasions. Having done some additional work to his boat and sporting a new set of sails Graham Sunderland led the way again. He was closely followed by Bruce Huber who had a continuous battle with James Meaning who finished eventually third. In the second race Graham was pushed over at the pin end and had to restart. Bruce Huber took a commanding lead, followed by Mark Downer and James Meaning. Newcomer Carl Whitewood scored a credible 4th place after lots of place changing on the last downwind leg. In the third race Graham was off again but the race was very close and tight and in the fickle conditions people would pass in front or behind the same boats multiple times. However those with patience and long arms for the downwind legs could make big gains.
Grumbles could be heard across the fleet from those who struggled in these light conditions. Seemed that almost everybody had a moment of glory during each race but staying focused takes years of practice and in the fourth race it was the usual crowd again of Graham Sunderland in first, Bruce Huber in second, James Meaning in third, who was very consistent which scoring 3rd in all 4 races and Rudy Jurg in fourth after a few bad races for him.
Back in the harbour it was time to thaw out in the clubhouse as temperatures were around zero with water temperature not much above that either. Winner of the Bailey Bowl is Graham Sunderland with Bruce Huber in second and James Meaning in third.
Photos available from Bembridge Club website and Facebook page.
Next weekend is invitational team racing with 8 teams on the start line representing the various clubs across the Isle of Wight. It will be an epic event with over 28 starts.
27 - 28 Nov
A non-pot weekend, but nevertheless ten intrepid individuals braved the bitter North Easterly winds blowing into Bembridge Harbour. In Race 1 Piers Thomas establish an early lead having pressed the left side of the course. Julia Bailey chased hard but Piers kept ownership of the left and opened the score with a win. Julia managed to fend off Graham Bailey's advances leaving him in third place just ahead of Rudy Jurg and Robin Ebsworth.
Having established good things were happening deep left, Graham dismissed all other strategic considerations and focussed on beating the others to the port layline in the remaining 2 races. On a similar mission, Piers pushed harder but unfortunately found himself sinking after the first tack of race 2. Julia pounced and held second place until her steering bar became detached (too much right foot Julia) leaving Rudy and Nick Wakefield a clear run at second and third places. In the last race of the day and after much pumping (not of a Rule 42 variety), Piers's Illusion was floating to her marks once again and managed a convincing second place ahead of the super-consistent Rudy.
Sunday brought new challenges as the fleet launched into a blinding snow shower. Vernon Statton was quick to point out what an excellent opportunity it would be to study the air-flow around the sails and so the fleet put to sea squinting through their snow-goggles in hope of aerodynamic enlightenment. Similar wind direction but different tee placement to the previous day and par-3 length courses saw Graham first to the green followed by Philip Woodford who does not tell his doctors he is doing this sort of thing in his advanced years! Julia's shore-team had worked hard through the night to fix her pedals and she carved through the fleet with new confidence in her equipment to finish in second place, Philip hanging on to a creditable third.
Harsh conditions can bring out the best in those brave (or foolish) enough to put to sea and in the second race of the day, Julia had the fleet in her rear-view mirrors for 3 full laps. Husband and wife split tacks at the last leeward gate however and Graham's final gamble paid off with Julia a very close second and Richard Ambler third.
Graham was back to his wife-beating ways for the last race only this time it was Richard Ambler applying the pressure ahead of Julia followed by Philip, Robin and newcomer David Franks who valiantly finished all of the races.
Overall Gaham and Julia were first and second. Robin Ebsworth was rewarded for his great determination and consistency with third place ahead of the remarkable Philip Woodford.
Bleak conditions but smiling faces and much gratitude to the race management for sacrificing their hot lunches and log fires to provide an excellent series of races.
20 - 21 Nov - Picnic Hamper
An unusual name for a trophy but the prize is an actual picnic hamper which gets filled by last year’s winner! In 2009 it was Mark Downer and this year he filled it with wine and chocolates which seemed to encourage the lady sailors to do their best because in almost every race they featured in the top three of the 6 races sailed over the weekend.
Bembridge Harbour is now nearly empty of all the boats which get moored there in summer and this allowed race officer Mike Samuelson to set a course across the harbour in a East-North-Easterly wind in the cold Force 4-5 breeze. All sailors are now fully dressed with the latest fashion and technology in thermal clothing and balaclavas. Anybody planning a sailing trip into colder climates would do well talking to Illusion sailors first!
In the first race it was Graham Bailey who took the honours closely followed by Mark Downer and Rudy Jurg. In Race two most people started of the ladies tee and the race officer decided to raise the black flag which held everyone back accept Carl Whitewood who got black flagged. Speed of the line is essential and Jo Downer seemed to have lots of it. However more impressively she stayed in close contact with her first placed husband, Mark Downer. The ever smiling Graham Bailey finished third and his wife Julia 4th. Despite being single handed yachts couples seemed to want to stay close to each other!
In the last race of the day the black flag had to come out again. With 19 boats on the line it’s almost the only way the race officer can give the fleet a fair start. However no matter what colour the flag it is Graham Bailey who always seems to shoot off and in this race no exception as build up a big lead. A few places back Rudy Jurg and Raymond Simonds match raced each other but got tangled up losing a few places in the process.
On Sunday the wind had swung a little to the left reading North-North East, overcast blowing Force 4-5 again. Slightly down on numbers with 15 sailors but no less competitive. Mark and Jo Downer took the first and second place respectively in race one and the coaching from Mark after every race seems to work well for Jo!
Raymond Simonds and Rudy Jurg seemed to continue their match race battle in all three races of the day although Rudy seemed to have the upper hand in upwind performance extending just far enough to beat him.
Yachting journalist and author Rupert Holmes, who has just returned from an extended cruise in Greek Isles, got his competitive streak back by finishing 3rd in the second race of the day. His partner, Kass Shmitt, also sails Illusions and had a eventful regatta being involved in a big collision with David Franks.
A surprise performance of the day came from Serena Gosling who so far had some back of fleet results but by fine tuning her boat handling and keeping her nerve she finished an impressive 4th place in the last race of the day. A cry of joy could be heard when she finished just in front of championship sailor Robert Holbrook.
After 6 races over the weekend in some challenging conditions which involved plenty of pumping of water out of the boats (except for the over 65’s who have electric pumps) congratulations and the Picnic Hamper went back too Mark Downer. Jo Downer in second (first time for her to finish in this position overall) and Rudy Jurg in third.
Next racing weekend is 27/28 November.