Illusion Christmas Cracker at Bembridge Sailing Club
by Mike Samuelson 23 Dec 2013 11:52 GMT
21-22 December 2013
Rudy Jurg during the Illusion Christmas Cracker at Bembridge © Mike Samuelson
Although ever hopeful that the forecasters would be wrong, some tentative rigging up and coffee in the Club Bar was the closest that we got to racing at Bembridge on Saturday morning, the first day of this year's Illusion Christmas Cracker. In the event a wise decision to remain ashore as the rain & F7 SSW'erly hung around well into the afternoon.
Sunday was much better and although still blowing F6 at times, made for some excellent racing for the 16 intrepid Illusionists - 3 of who where bravely trying these amazing boats out for the first time. To make up for no racing the previous day, it was agreed that there would be four races with one discard. With more bias on the line than usual to discourage crowding at the pin end, and a pretty steady breeze, it was good to see lots of split beats and equal numbers going either port or starboard through the leeward gate.
Race 1 went to Graham Bailey who finished comfortable ahead of Mark Downer and an exuberant Rudy Jurg (complete with his Father Christmas hat on); Rupert Holmes was a close fourth. Bad luck to Kass Schmidt who yet again had the fitting on one of her stays break and had to sail back in; but well done to the new comers who all managed to keep afloat in the windy conditions. In the second race, Graham again took first place ahead of Mark with a delighted Robbie Southwell, who had to retire and sail back to the pontoon in the first race with a split sail, in third; Rupert Holmes sailing very consistently was fourth again.
With the wind speed varying between F4 & F6, and new comer Dave Ross deciding to call it a day and head back in, a number of boats sensibly decided to leave their spinnakers tucked away, Race 3 saw an excellent tussle between Jo & Mark Downer for the first two rounds with Graham Bailey having to work hard after starting well down the fleet. However on the third round Mark powered ahead to take first place and although overtaken by Graham on the final run, Jo still achieved a very well deserved third just ahead of Bill Daniels. With Graham well ahead in the final race of the day, the Race Officers called a halt after two rounds much to the delight of Rudy Jurg who was in third behind Mark and just ahead of Jo.
Another excellent day's racing - well done everyone.
1st Graham Bailey, 3pts
2nd Mark Downer, 5pts
3rd Rudy Jurg, 12pts
4th Rupert Holmes, 13pts
Next racing (New Year Special) - Tuesday 31st December & Wednesday 1st January.
Start of Race 2
Start of Race 3
Rudy on the run - Race 4
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Graham Bailey | 132 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Mark Downer | 124 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | Rudy Jurg | 158 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 12 |
| 4 | Rupert Holmes | 47 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| 5 | Jo Downer | 123 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| 6 | Bill Daniels | 68 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 14 |
| 7 | Robin Ebsworth | 12 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 23 |
| 8 | Steve Warren‑Smith | 146 | 10 | R | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| 9 | Bleddyn Môn | 26 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 |
| 10 | Barnaby Edwards | 121 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 28 |
| 11 | Andrew Christie | 149 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 30 |
| 12 | Amy Prime | 80 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 34 |
| 13 | Robbie Southwell | 151 | R | 3 | S | S | 37 |
| 14 | Julia Bailey | 157 | 6 | R | S | S | 40 |
| 15 | Dave Ross | 27 | R | R | S | S | 51 |
| 15 | Kass Schmidt | 14 | R | S | S | S | 51 |