Illusion Racing at Bembridge Sailing Club

It's pretty rare but even the Illusions sometimes have to cancel racing due to bad weather last Saturday but on Sunday 12 Illusions turned up to race on a sunny February morning.

In the first race it was a very pin end biased start and youngster Robbie Southwell and Mark Downer had placed themselves perfectly for a pin end start. Robbie then lead off the start and all around the course to take the first race with Mark Downer 2nd and Bruce Huber 3rd. Also new comer to the fleet Olivia Dowling had a great race and finished 4th.

For the start of the second race there was more of a pile up on the pin end and Mark came good with a few people buried. Mark and Bruce lead the fleet around the course having a good tussle between themselves. Mark won with Bruce 2nd and Robbie 3rd.

The start in the third race was a lot more even with Mark and Jo downer leading half the fleet to the right and Rupert Holmes leading the rest of the fleet to the left. Robbie once again lead the race for the first 2 laps until Mark split at the leeward mark and made an attack at him to gain the lead and win. Robbie was 2nd with Bruce 3rd. Sadly for Mark Lees who was borrowing a boat for the day had a small problem when he sunk on the finish line.

In the last race of the day there was a great battle on the start line between Robbie and Mark which resulted in Robbie doing a penalty turn. Mark and Bruce both had a very good race between each other battling out for 1st and 2nd but Mark took it and Bruce was 2nd. Robbie did well to gain places in the fleet after starting last but he had a great battle with Jo Downer to take 3rd and Jo 4th.

Overall Results:

1st Mark Downer
2nd Robbie Southwell
3rd Bruce Huber

Next the Valentine's Trophy on the 15th & 16th February.