Illusion Valentine Trophy at Bembridge Sailing Club

Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy © Mike Samuelson

Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy © Mike Samuelson

Saturday's three races towards one of the oldest trophies in the Bembridge Illusion annual winter programme, the Illusion Valentine Trophy, were a triumph for the two lady helms racing, Julia Bailey & Jo Downer. Julia ended with two firsts and a third, and Jo with a first, a third & a fourth in the very challenging cold & breezy conditions. Bembridge Harbour was certainly not for the feint hearted this weekend, albeit it did not blow quite as hard on Sunday and at least there was some sunshine.

The first race was slightly delayed waiting for the 12 entries to make the start area in one piece; Bill Daniels was initially OCS and was unable to make up for lost ground and had to be make do with a sixth place. To be on the safe side Mark Downer also went back, and although he was unable to make a dent in Julia Bailey's massive lead, he was able to get himself into second place ahead of Steve Warren-Smith and his wife Jo.

Given the cold and windy conditions (it was gusting 20 knots at times), the start of the second race was a credit to the tenacity & determination of the Illusion sailors. Mark Downer over cooked it and was virtually at the back of the fleet on port tack by the time he had corrected himself. Julia Bailey again found herself leading the fleet and finished ahead of Steve Warren-Smith & Jo Downer. Lower down the fleet, Serena Gosling, Gorge Downer & Robin Ebsworth were in close contention, as were Bill Daniels & Mike Toogood.

Quite how the sailors manage to control their sails with really cold hands is a mystery, but in the final two and a half round race of the day, there was certainly no let up in the skill level. However, first place this time went to Jo who just managed to hold off a late surge by Bill Daniels and Julia had to make do with third.

Other videos available: Start of Race 3 Saturday, Start of Race 4 Sunday, Run during Race 6 Sunday.

Sunday's forecast looked better and it was certainly brighter and not quite so cold. Initially not as windy as the previous day, it did get up a bit by the time racing commenced and peaked at just over 20 knots in the second race of the day. Another excellent start to the first race with Bill Daniels just getting away with a pin end flyer with inches to spare. However, first round the windward mark was Mark Downer with Julia Bailey next, followed by Bill Daniels. Despite being disadvantaged on the runs by not being able to fly her spinnaker because of a problem with the halyard, Julia managed to hold onto second place. Again some really close racing lower down the fleet with Robin Ebsworth, Serena Gosling & Steve Warren-Smith finishing within inches of each other.

In the second race of the day, Mark Downer was again OCS, however it did not take him long to make up for lost ground and although he could not quite rein Julia in, he nevertheless finished in second place ahead of a close fought tussle between Bill & Jo. There was no let up even at the back of the fleet with Serena Gosling & Mike Toogood crossing the line with little between them.

Although there were a number of boats within inches of the start line at the beginning of the final race, the X Flag remained furled. It then did not take long for Mark to establish himself in front of Bill Daniels. Having found herself mid-fleet at the start, and indeed not needing to even finish to win the trophy, Julia pulled out all the stops and managed to get to third, behind Bill. Lower down the fleet, Steve & Jo had a great race with inches separating them at the finish at the windward mark after two and a half rounds.

So congratulations to Julia Bailey who won this year's Valentine Trophy; Mark Downer was second & Bill Daniels was third.

Another Trophy next weekend, the Flying Dutchman. Early starts but with the Downers away, a good opportunity for another name in lights. Then in a fortnight (27th & 28th February) it is the Illusion Nationals.

Overall Results:

Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy - photo © Mike Samuelson