Illusion Bailey Bowl at Bembridge Sailing Club

Illusion Bailey Bowl at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson

Illusion Bailey Bowl at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson

Although neither Graham or Julia Bailey were around to race over the weekend for "their" trophy, sixteen Illusions joined the fray on Saturday despite the dismal forecast and enjoyed some great racing within the almost now empty Bembridge harbour in the F3-5 SW'erly breeze.

With Mark Downer only an inch on the safe side of the pin at the start of the first race but deciding not to risk it and therefore returning to re-start, Bruce Huber was soon out in front and never looked as if he was going to be caught. Having found clean air and a route through the rest of the fleet Mark finished second just ahead of Steve Warren-Smith. Unusually for him, Colin Simonds found himself at the back of the fleet after an incident at the start with Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore & Guy Mattinson, however he did catch up a bit and finished 11th. It was great to see Rudy Jurg, who is now living in Finland when not travelling, back on the Island for the weekend, finish in a creditable 6th in his first race of the season.

The start of the second race was even closer than the first - it really is a credit to the Illusion sailors how well they are routinely within inches of the line when the hooter goes. Mark Downer & Bruce Huber were again the first two to reach the windward mark ahead of Raymond Simonds, Steve Warren-Smith and Xander Shaw. Jo Downer was doing well until her starboard shroud broke and her mast fell down and she had to be towed back to the pontoon. Although by no means a walk over and a bad tack would have seen Bruce overtake, Mark finished comfortably ahead.

There was another excellent start to the third race and it was again Bruce Huber who rounded the windward mark first just ahead of Alastair Speare-Cole with Mark Downer a few places behind. However as the race progressed, Mark made it into second place but finished a long way behind Bruce with Alastair a very creditable third and Raymond Simonds in fourth.

With Sunday's forecast looking a bit dire, it was decided to have a fourth race just in case racing had to be cancelled. Aside from Bill Daniels who was right at the pin end the line and knew he was OCS so was able to correct himself without too much difficulty, it was another close start. Indeed racing was close throughout the fleet with Mark & Bruce almost in match racing mode and taking first & second places respectively. Raymond & Colin Simonds were also nip & tuck and took third and fourth places with Steve Warren-Smith a close fifth.

Although not quite as many eager sailors arrived on Sunday morning in the hopes of racing, it was eventually decided, after a good half an hours postponement to cancel racing as it was blowing too hard for it to be safe, sensible or fun to race. A wise decision! This meant that although Mark & Bruce both had two firsts and two seconds, the Bailey Bowl was awarded to Mark as he had won the last race the day before. Raymond Simonds was third and Steve Warren-Smith was fourth.

Illusion Bailey Bowl at Bembridge - photo © Mike Samuelson

The next Illusion Regatta of the season is the annual Inter Club team racing on 28th & 29th November.

Overall Results:

Videos:

Start of Race 1

Start of Race 2

Start of Race 4

The leaders on the run during Race 4