Illusion Easter Egg Trophy at Bembridge Sailing Club

Some close racing in the middle of the fleet on Saturday during the Illusion Easter Egg Trophy at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson

Julia Bailey just ahead of Serena Gosling during the 2nd race on Sunday during the Illusion Easter Egg Trophy at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson

Damp race officers, Robin Ebsworth & George Greenwood during the Illusion Easter Egg Trophy at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson

Illusion racing over Easter at Bembridge has traditionally been limited to just Easter Saturday & Easter Sunday, however this year it was decided to offer some racing on Good Friday for less experienced helms. In the event, eight Illusions, including a number of newcomers, enjoyed three races in the harbour in the mainly southerly F2 breeze. Racing was close and the conditions were almost perfect for the less experienced. In the first race, Steve Warren-Smith lead the way and finished ahead of John Raymond & Philip Bown. In race two, John Raymond managed to stay out in front, with Philip in second and Steve in third. The final race was a repeat of the first race with Steve in first, John in second and Philip in third.

Fifteen Illusions took to the water on Saturday for the first three races of this year's Easter Egg Trophy. Racing was restricted to the harbour as it was too rough off Silver Beach but with the wind from the north, the course was quite restricted. In the first two races, Xander Shaw showed excellent pace and took two firsts with Steve Warren-Smith having to make do with two seconds. Nick Foden-Pattinson was third in the opening race and Matthew Muhlenkamp was third in the second race. Julia Bailey had an excellent start in the third race and held off challenges from new comer Ben Vines and Matthew to come in first to complement her two fourth places in the earlier two races. It was good to see Xander's father David picking up a few tips on how to sail an Illusion from his son!

After a lengthy discussion between the helms & race officers on Sunday morning, it was eventually decided to keep the course in the harbour in case the wind died off completely. In the event the problem was more with the direction than the strength, however some swift mark changing by the race officers kept the standard windward leeward course configuration intact. Despite a late start in the third race, James Meaning yet again demonstrated his light wind skills and won all three races. In the first race, Xander Shaw just beat Julia Bailey into second place; Andy Christie was fourth. In the second race, it was Julia's turn to take second place with Serena Gosling showing good speed to secure third place ahead of Nick Fodden-Pattinson. In the final race, Serena found herself with a large lead after the first round; in the second round she extended it slightly, however after a dreadful start James Meaning began to wind her back in and was first round the windward mark in the final round; Julia Bailey was next round, inches ahead of Serena. These two were neck & neck on the run and the final beat to the line with Serena crossing in second place by the closest of margins. Had the result been different, the Easter Egg Trophy would have been Julia's but with Xander & Julia both finishing with thirteen points, the trophy went to Xander on count back; a great result for him and his first ever Illusion trophy.

Julia Bailey (2nd), Xander Shaw (1st) & Andy Christie (3rd) in\ the Illusion Easter Egg Trophy at Bembridge - photo © Mike Samuelson

No racing next weekend as the tides are wrong; the four race (no discard) St George's Day Trophy is on Saturday 18th April with normal racing on Sunday 19th April.

During the 2nd race on Sunday

Start of the final race on Sunday

Overall Results: