Illusion Picnic Hamper Regatta at Bembridge Sailing Club
by Mike Samuelson 22 Dec 2014 10:42 GMT
20-21 December 2014
Alastair Speare-Cole and Steve Warren-Smith in the Illusion Picnic Hamper Regatta at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson
Either bad planning or Christmas parties elsewhere kept the numbers of Illusions racing over the weekend at Bembridge lower than expected; a pity really as conditions were pretty good for this time of the year with a WSW F4-5 breeze on both days which allowed for good long courses in the harbour.
Julia Bailey was unbeatable in the first three races on Saturday with Alastair Speare-Cole & Steve Warren-Smith flip flopping between second & third. It was good to see Mike Toogood out in his new "purchase" from West Kirby (No 142) and although not in the first three, he was certainly going better than in his old boat. As it was not too cold and the forecast for Sunday suggesting strong winds, a fourth race was offered and with Julia's concentration unusually distracted, the winner was Alastair Speare-Cole with Steve Warren-Smith in second and congratulations to novice Guy Mattinson who came in third.
Although a bit breezier at times with a light drizzle, conditions on Sunday were better than expected. In the first race of the day, Julia and Alastair had a good battle for the lead but in the end Julia powered through to take her fourth win of the Regatta. John Raymond, who had not raced the previous day, was third and Rupert Holmes (who had also not raced on Saturday) was a very close fourth. In the next race, Alastair managed to get himself well out in front and although Julia made up a bit of ground on the second round, she had to make do with second place.
Steve Warren-Smith & Rupert Holmes were inches apart in third and fourth. John Raymond & Julia had a bit of a tiff prior to the start of the seventh race and were well off the pace by the time they had sorted themselves out. This allowed Rupert to get out in front and although hotly pursued by Steve Warren-Smith & Alastair Speare-Cole, they could not catch him. The eighth and final race again went Julia's way; Steve was second and Rupert was third.
Results:
1st - Julia Bailey (11 points)
2nd - Alastair Speare-Cole (14 points)
3rd - Steve Warren-Smith (17 points)
4th - Robin Ebsworth (34 points)
Videos:
Start of Race 2 (Saturday)
Start of Race 4 (Saturday)
Spinnaker Work on Sunday
Next Regatta - the Christmas Cracker - Saturday & Sunday 27th & 28th December.