Illusion Stratton Trophy at Bembridge Sailing Club

by Rudy Jurg 18 Mar 2013 13:55 GMT 16-17 March 2013

Unfortunately a very bad weather forecast only brought out 10 sailors for the Illusion Stratton Trophy. It was donated by the widow of British Olympic sailor and coach Vernon Stratton who founded the Illusion Class in Bembridge in 1983.

The Stratton Trophy was sailed for first time last year and attracted a record entry of 47 boats. Since its appearance in Bembridge Vernon Stratton managed to attract some of the top talent in these competitive little keelboats and the class continues to do so to this present day. The variety of winners over the 23 trophy weekends is a good indication of the health of the class.

This weekend would be a battle between Rudy Jurg and the 2013 National Champion James Meaning. On Saturday in a South Westerly force 5 Beaufort with the occasional sunny spells. In race one the pin end was slightly favoured and therefore congested but Rudy Jurg had the speed and height and won with a commanding lead. Bill Daniels has in recent regattas also found form and took second.

In race two it was a repeat of the previous race with pin end favoured. Rudy Jurg took the winners gun again closely followed by James Meaning and Robin Ebsworth in third. The latter Illusion sailor is not the most consistent either battling for top place or struggling far in the back. In race 3 the wind moved to the east making the left hand side of track favoured. James Meaning,who normally only sails in light airs, showed that even in windy conditions he is a master and commander of his boat and took winners gun a by big lead. After a close battle with Jo Downer Rudy Jurg took second place. In race 4 the wind unfortunately swung hard to the east just after the start and despite a few place changes it became a drag race, James Meaning spotted this wind change and led right from the start.

Despite a windy and wet forecast for the Sunday Bembridge was calm and tranquil! Race Officer Mike Samuelson wisely decided to look for wind outside the harbour and a challenging course was set off Silver Beach. Some of the highest waves the class experienced this year made it difficult to keep the pace upwind and steering with your feet downwind. In race one Rudy Jurg sailed free and low enjoying the challenging conditions, Mark Downer followed him some distances behind in second place. James Meaning hit Steve Warren Smith hard during a mark rounding and decided to retire from this race. Although Jo Downer looked good to take an easy third place she lost speed at the last mark rounding and unfortunately for her losing two places on finish line. Bill Daniels seized the opportunity and took third. In race two the wind had shifted to the West and in a softening breeze James Meaning lead from the start followed by Mark Downer, Robin Ebsworth and Bill Daniels. On the downwind the fleet split with some hugging the beach whilst others seemed to favour offshore. It mattered little as all boats converged at the bottom. On the last upwind leg, in a lucky shift and in his own private wind Rudy Jurg came from 6th place to claim second just behind James Meaning. In the last race of the day wind was shifty with occasionally some big swells rolling through the course. The beach side was favoured again. The now familiar green colours of James Meaning's Illusion was sailing out in front trading places with Mark Downer. However he proved unstoppable again taking the winners gun for a 4th time this weekend. He was followed closely by Rudy Jurg who beat Mark Downer by narrowest of margins on the finish line.

Rudy Jurg won the Stratton Trophy presented by Pepe Stratton. James Meaning took a close second and a delighted Jo Downer third.

Next event is the 3 day Stratton Easter Egg regatta.