Bembridge Illusion St George's Day Trophy & Woodford Long Distance Race

Bembridge Illusion St George's Day Trophy & Woodford Long Distance Race © Mike Samuelson

Bembridge Illusion St George's Day Trophy & Woodford Long Distance Race © Mike Samuelson

Nine Illusions raced in the harbour on Saturday for the penultimate trophy of the season, the St George's Day Trophy, which traditionally has four races with no discard. The first race saw Mark Downer, Bruce Huber and Julia Bailey with little between them on the first two rounds, however Julia managed to get ahead on the third round as Mark dropped to third place. Mid-fleet, also had some close racing with George Downer coming in ahead of Jo Downer who finished inches ahead of Rupert Holmes.

The start of the second race showed that even the experts very occasionally don't get it quite right with Mark Downer stalled on the line and therefore well down the fleet for the first couple of rounds. However, on the third round he found the right places to go and although he could not catch Bruce, he did manage to get a second place just ahead of Julia & Rupert. The third race was very much Bruce's again with Rupert never quite able to get ahead. The following pack was lead home by Jo Downer with Mark just managing to pip his son George on the line.

The start of the final race was probably the best of the day; Bruce again managed to round the windward mark ahead of Jo, Rupert & Julia with Mark & George enjoying some family banter as they tried to make up lost ground. Bruce stretched his lead in the second round with the remainder trading places as the race progressed. By the end of the third round, Rupert and Mark both managed to overtake Julia, and George successfully held off a late challenge from his mother Jo.

A convincing win overall for Bruce; Mark was second and Julia was third after a count back with Rupert.

On Sunday four Illusions launched for the last race of their season, the Woodford Long Distance race. There would have been five but Robin Ebsworth's main halyard broke as he was getting his boat rigged. With a start just off Selwyn Pontoon, the first leg was an excellent beat to a windward mark laid off Baywatch Cafe. However, just before exiting the harbour, race leader Bruce Huber found himself tangled up with lone Scow and went aground on Attrill's Point. By the time he had sorted himself out, the other three Illusions were making good progress to the windward mark in the F3 northerly breeze and slightly sloppy swell. First round was Philip Bown with Bill Daniels close on his tail. Bruce was third just ahead of Hugh Doherty. With the front three under spinnaker and taking slightly different routes back into the harbour, there was little in it as they headed up to the Brading Haven YC turning mark. Philip rounded just ahead of Bruce with Bill a few boat lengths behind. They then headed to a turn around two moored boats off Selwyn Pontoon before a final beat to the finish off 10A Channel buoy. Due to slight misunderstanding exactly where the finish was going to be, the two leaders Bruce & Philip overstood the line and Bill was able to sneak in and take first place by a boat length.

The opening weekend of the 2016-2017 Illusion season is on 1st & 2nd October, with the first Regatta (the Trafalgar Trophy) on 15th & 16th October.

Start of St George's Day Trophy Race 1

Start of St George's Day Trophy Race 2

Start of St George's Day Trophy Race 4

Thank you very much for the excellent service you have again provided over the winter. I know that the fleet much enjoy being able to read the on-line reports which you always stitch together so quickly. The first of the 2016-2017 Illusion season Regattas is 15th & 16th October!

Overall Results:

Bembridge Illusion St George's Day Trophy & Woodford Long Distance Race - photo © Mike Samuelson

Bembridge Illusion St George's Day Trophy & Woodford Long Distance Race - photo © Mike Samuelson