Illusion Piers' January Jacket at Bembridge Sailing Club
by Mike Samuelson 12 Jan 2015 07:15 GMT
10-11 January 2015
Bruce Huber & Mark Downer running close during race 3 of Piers' January Jacket Illusion event at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson
A few hardy sailors turned up late Saturday morning to see if racing was possible, however with the wind whistling through the rigging and white horses throughout the harbour, the decision was taken to cancel and hope for better conditions the following day.
As forecast, the wind dropped overnight only to then build again after lunch, but not before 7 intrepid helms took to the water to race for this year's Piers January Jacket.
The first race saw Mark Downer ahead at the windward mark and he never looked like being caught by the pack lead by Bruce Huber and Julia Bailey. John Raymond was a close fourth.
The second and third races were almost a repeat with Mark dominating the front of the fleet as the breeze started to build, despite best efforts by Bruce and Julia who were never far apart and traded tack for tack. George Downer, sailing his mothers boat showed some excellent boat handling and scored two very creditable fourth places.
In the fourth & final race with the breeze gusting over 20 knots for most of it, it was Bruce's turn to dominate and Mark eventually had to make do with a third place behind his son George.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Mark Downer | 124 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | Bruce Huber | 101 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | Julia Bailey | 157 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | George Downer | 123 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| 5 | John Raymond | 151 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 16 |
| 6 | Rolly Wilson | 146 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 17 |
| 7 | Robin Ebsworth | 12 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 17 |
Next Regatta: either Bill's Barrel Part 1 or the new Flying Dutchman Trophy - 17th & 18th January.
Start of Race 1 Sunday
Start of Race 2 Sunday
Start of Race 3 Sunday
Start of Race 4 Sunday
Spinnakers during Race 3