Bembridge Illusion Flying Dutchman 2016
by Mike Samuelson 21 Feb 2016 19:55 GMT
20-21 February 2016
Bembridge Illusion Flying Dutchman 2016 © Mike Samuelson
Alas the dates for this year's Flying Dutchman did not fit in with our 'flying dutchman' - Rudy Jurg's - diary, so sadly no orange spinnaker graced Bembridge Harbour this weekend. In fact with the Downers, plus others, away, gale force winds forecast and early starts, numbers were somewhat thin on the ground and there were only 8 boats racing.
In fact the first race started in the SW'erly F5 breeze with only seven boats; the eighth one, helmed by Richard Ambler got into a bit of difficulty leaving the Illusion quay and had to be towed off the pontoons by the safety RIB. Although Mike Toogood was lucky not to be pushed over the line before the hooter, the others meanwhile made a good start and beat up the harbour to the windward marks just off Bembridge Outboard's pontoon. Raymond Simonds lead for most of the three round race and although she nearly caught him, Julia Bailey had to make do with second. Having been third after the first round, Mike Toogood dropped a place to fourth just behind Steve Warren-Smith.
The second race started in 22 knots with the fleet evenly split between the Committee boat & the pins ends of the line. Raymond Simonds & Julia Bailey were neck & neck after the first round; indeed the top four had only boat lengths separating them much of the time. With the gusts increasing a few knots and so as to allow for four races in case Sunday's racing had to be cancelled, the race was finished after two rounds with Raymond just ahead of Steve Warren-Smith with Julia in third just ahead of Guy Mattinson.
Julia was inches from the line in the start of the third race and rounded the windward mark just ahead of Raymond; they remained neck & neck for the run to the leeward gate however Julia was able to pull well ahead on the beat back up the harbour and then decided to play safe and did not put up her spinnaker for the run back. Raymond caught up a bit but then broached and let Guy Mattinson through to take a well deserved second place. Lower down the fleet, Robin Ebsworth and Richard Ambler had a very close race and were impossible to split on the finish line.
In the last race of the day, Raymond established a good lead ahead of Julia, Steve Warren-Smith & Guy Mattinson so finished the day with three firsts and a third to Julia's first, two seconds and a third.
Sunday's forecast SW'erly F5 - 6 was pretty spot on and after a short discussion on the Illusion Quay at 09:00 it was sensibly decided to cancel racing. This meant that Raymond won the Flying Dutchman trophy, with Julia second and Guy third after a count back with Steve.
Next Weekend (27th & 28th February) is the Illusion Nationals. First start on Saturday 12:30 and on Sunday 13:00.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Raymond Simonds | 23 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Julia Bailey | 157 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | Guy Mattison | 147 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | Steve Warren‑ Smith | 146 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| 5 | Mike Toogood | 142 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 13 |
| 6 | Robin Ebsworth | 12 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 17 |
| 8 | Richard Ambler | 156 | S | 8 | 6 | 5 | 19 |
| 7 | Jonathan Nainby‑Luxmoore | 158 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 21 |
Videos:
Start of Race 1 Saturday
Start of Race 2 Saturday
Spinnakers during Race 4 Saturday