Illusion Icebreaker at Bembridge Sailing Club

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker © Mike Samuelson

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker © Mike Samuelson

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker © Mike Samuelson

Rather earlier this year than the norm, but of course the racing programme is driven by the tides, eleven Illusions braved the breezy conditions on Sunday for the first three races of the 2015 - 2016 Icebreaker - the oldest Regatta in the Bembridge Illusion programme first competed for in 1982. Although the Sunday's forecast predicted the SSW F6-7 breeze dropping a bit as the morning progressed, conditions in Bembridge Harbour were still challenging as the F6 gusts came through. Mind you at least it was relatively warm and certainly no ice!

After a 15 minute postponement to allow everyone to make the start area, the first race got off to a clean start with the pin end of line definitely favoured. Most remained on starboard tack until they ran out of space near the houseboats. Bruce Huber and Mark Downer were first round the windward marks and were soon locked in a downwind match race, however despite trying his hardest to sort out a problem with his spinnaker without loosing ground, Bruce had to admit defeat and head off to the Redwing Quay to sort himself out. This left Mark well out in front with his wife Jo and Bill Daniels to battle it out for second place. Although both rounded different marks at the leeward gate, Bill's choice proved the best and he finished a couple of boat lengths ahead of Jo at the end of the three round race. Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore was fourth just ahead of Robin Ebsworth and Ed Eddy.

The start of Race 2 was very tight with a number of boats just managing to get back to the pre-start side of the line when the whistle went. On the first run, the leading five, Mark, Bruce, Robin, Jo & Alastair Speare-Cole were all pretty close, however Bruce & Mark pulled ahead on the second round and traded tacks up the harbour with Mark coming out at least two boat lengths ahead at the windward mark. Despite showing better downwind boat speed on the shortish runs, Bruce was unable to dent Mark's lead and had to make do with coming in second. Meanwhile Alastair & Jo were also battling hard for third place with Jo almost catching him at the end of the fourth round.

Having adjusted the windward & leeward marks slightly as the breeze backed more southerly, the start of the final race of the day was another close one. Again the lead two boats round the windward marks were those of Mark & Bruce and the first run saw them back into match racing mode with appropriate vocal backing! However, Mark proved to be too strong on the beats and was a good one and a half lengths ahead after the first round and remained ahead for the next three rounds. There was some excellent close racing in the chasing group (Jo Downer, Bill Daniels, Alastair Speare-Cole and Robin Ebsworth) and it was good to see Jo, who had been sailing well all morning, finally snatch a well deserved third place.

Conditions on Monday were a lot more pleasant; indeed there was early talk of racing out of the harbour, however common sense prevailed and as long as possible a course was set inside the harbour with the windward marks off the eastern end of the houseboats.

The first race of the day got away cleanly and with the fleet equally split either side of the course, it appeared to be more about boat speed than tactics. On the run down to the leeward gate, the front three were Bill Daniels, Mark Downer & Bruce Huber, however on the second round Mark managed to get ahead and by the end of the fourth round had opened up a good lead with Bruce finishing second and Bill third. It was good to see Mark & Jo's son George come in fourth and well done to David Peerless who was fifth.

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker - photo © Mike Samuelson

The second race of the day eventually started on a Black Flag after a General Recall. Although he was nearly pushed over the line by Bruce, Ed Eddy was within an inch of the line when the whistle went. Again it was Mark & Bruce who dominated and after two very close rounds with them both rounding opposite leeward gate marks, Mark managed to inch ahead on the third beat and collect his fifth win. Bill Daniels had another good race and was third, and Alastair Speare-Cole fourth. Although at the back of the fleet, racing between Andrew Eddy & his son Ed was very close with only inches between them at times.

The third and final race of the day was again started under the Black Flag with Bill Daniels risking all at the pin end of the line and crossing the line milliseconds after the whistle. With the breeze picking up slightly and gusting 15+ knots at times, the fleet did not take long to complete the four laps. Although at one stage it was looking like a clean sweep for Mark, a very determined Bruce managed to find the better wind shifts and came home in first place by at least four boat lengths, with Bill picking up his third third place of the day. Although this time the Eddy's were spread out, it was good to see George Downer trading tacks with his mother Jo and just beating her to come in fourth.

Well done to Mark, Bruce & Bill who took the overall podium places, but also to everyone else who took to the water and provided us all with two days of excellent racing that cleared away the Christmas blues.

Mark Downer wins the Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker - photo © Mike Samuelson

Two days of extra racing tomorrow (Tuesday 29th December) and Wednesday. The next Regatta is Piers January Jacket over the weekend of 9th & 10th January.

Overall Results:

Event Videos:

Start of Race 1 (Sunday)

Start of Race 3 (Sunday)

Start of Race 5 (Back Flag - Monday)

Start of Race 6 (Black Flag - Monday)