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Illusion

Illusion

A 12' single handed keelboat with 350lbs of lead to keep it upright designed by Olympic bronze medallist Jo Richards to look like a Twelve metre yacht and react in the same way to give match racing practice for the America’s Cup crews. The Class was started at Bembridge in the early 80's by John Cleave - an International Champion in Radio model sailing. The first open meeting was held in January 1983 for the Bembridge Icebreaker - a beautiful painting of the Class by Cavendish Morton.
Racing, restricted to the winter months, when the harbour is clear, is invariably extremely close. Regattas normally consist of 6 races over the 2 days; the courses are essentially upwind/downwind legs with each race lasting for about 25 mins (normally 3 rounds). Entry is open to all and the largest entry to date was for the 2007 Trafalgar Trophy when there were 27 starters on the line.

© Jonathan Hoare © Jonathan Hoare
in association with
in association with Selden
Show UK nationals gear guide from

Enter details for at the nationals
PosCrewMastBoomSpi PoleMainJibSpinnakerRudderBoardHull
Show news Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrell 2024
A new Rule 10 introduced for the event
Posted on 2 Dec
Bembridge Illusion Bailey Bowl
26 keen sailors racing off Silversands beach and in the harbour
Posted on 18 Nov
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
Great to see 24 boats racing in the harbour
Posted on 4 Nov
Bembridge Illusion Trafalgar Trophy
Four races held in warm bright sunshine
Posted on 21 Oct
Illusion class opening weekend at Bembridge
A variable wind proved testing for both the helms and the mark layers
Posted on 7 Oct
Illusion 8 Hour Race at Middle Nene
A spectator event with a social get-together on the shore
Posted on 23 Jul
Bembridge Illusion season comes to a close
With the St George's Day Trophy and the Woodford Long Distance Race
Posted on 29 Apr
Bembridge Illusion Designer Trophy 2024
Racing for the drawing of Jo Richards' original concept drawing of the Illusion
Posted on 22 Apr
Bembridge Illusion Flying Dutchman Trophy
A challenging weekend thanks to Storm Kathleen
Posted on 7 Apr
Bembridge Illusion Vernon's Easter Egg Cup 2024
Battling gale warnings, icy rain and cancelled ferries
Posted on 31 Mar
Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate 2024
Fourteen boats rigged up to race on Saturday
Posted on 25 Mar
Illusion Prince Philip Memorial Trophy 2024
Forecast and early tides kept a number of competitors away
Posted on 11 Mar
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
Almost perfect conditions after a week of rain and strong winds
Posted on 4 Mar
Illusion Nationals 2024 at Bembridge
An early start to championship season this year!
Posted on 26 Feb
Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy
One helm had "transgressed on more than one occasion"
Posted on 11 Feb
Bembridge Illusion Team Racing second event
Saturday deliveres an almost perfect gentle South-South-Westerly breeze
Posted on 29 Jan
Bembridge Illusion Stratton Trophy 2024
Finally an event without strong winds and heavy rain
Posted on 14 Jan
Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker 2023
The oldest Regatta in the Illusion programme, dating back to 1982
Posted on 31 Dec 2023
Bembridge Illusion Christmas Cracker 2023
Storm Gerrit upsets the apple cart
Posted on 30 Dec 2023
Bembridge Illusion Team Racing
A Christmasy feel to it for the 16 entries
Posted on 18 Dec 2023
Bembridge Illusion Bailey Bowl
Dedicated race team have to re-lay the windward mark three times
Posted on 4 Dec 2023
Bembridge Illusion Picnic Hamper
Chipping away the ice isn't how most picnics begin
Posted on 27 Nov 2023
Bembridge Illusion weekend racing
Force 8 means Sunday's racing was lost
Posted on 19 Nov 2023
Hyde Sails November Discounts!
Get ready for the 2024 season, buy now to get the best prices
Posted on 18 Nov 2023
Illusion Inlands at Middle Nene
Defending champion retains title
Posted on 17 Nov 2023
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy
Fleet head outside the harbour
Posted on 13 Nov 2023
Bembridge Illusion Trafalgar Trophy 2023
Racing held despite the floods in the area
Posted on 31 Oct 2023
Bembridge Illusion 2023-24 Season opening weekend
Lots of sunshine, a reasonably steady NW'erly breeze and twenty boats on Saturday
Posted on 16 Oct 2023
Keelboat Class Sails In Stock
The 2023 season so far has been superb!
Posted on 30 Aug 2023
Final weekend of the Bembridge Illusion season
St George's Day Trophy & Woodford Long Distance Race
Posted on 24 Apr 2023
Links
Illusion UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Jeremy Spencer-Cooper
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Jeremy Spencer-Cooper
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Bill's Barrel 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bailey Bowl for Illusion class at Bembridge
© BSC
Bailey Bowl for Illusion class at Bembridge
© BSC
Bailey Bowl for Illusion class at Bembridge
© BSC
Bailey Bowl for Illusion class at Bembridge
© BSC
Bailey Bowl for Illusion class at Bembridge
© BSC
Bailey Bowl for Illusion class at Bembridge
© BSC
Bailey Bowl for Illusion class at Bembridge
© BSC
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson
Bembridge Illusion Guy Fawkes Trophy 2024
© Mike Samuelson