Illusion New Year's Special at Bembridge Sailing Club
by Rudy Jurg 2 Jan 2014 07:46 GMT
31 December 2013 - 1 January 2014
Illusion New Year's Special at Bembridge © Rudy Jurg
An atrocious weather forecast only brought 8 boats to the start line with a force 4-6 Beaufort from the South. For most it was already an epic journey to get to Bembridge Sailing Club with flooded roads and fallen trees.
Sailing however would also prove a challenge in very gusty conditions. Race officer Mike Samuelson set a short course with a little bias on committee boat end of the start line. Mark Downer showed again his dominance in these top end conditions winning every race and especially showing some incredible downwind boat handling under spinnaker. However it was not always clear cut with Jo Downer showing real girl power being in the lead a few times and coming in second twice.
Bruce Huber tried to hard to get in front but had a few wipe-outs on the downwind legs and went home early after race 2. Mike Toogood also went home early having filled his boat up with water.
In race 3 dark ominous clouds emerged, with wind gusting to 25 knots and almost horizontal rain most sailors wondered if this was still fun. The wind also shifted shortly after the start and it became bit of drag race with very few tactical options.
A New Year's race day was also planned but a 1000 start but with 24 knots and squalls into the mid 30's in the harbour attracted few candidates and racing was cancelled.
Start Race 1
Run Race 1
Start Race 2
Next racing 4-5 January for the Ice Breaker Trophy.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Mark Downer | 124 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Bruce Huber | 101 | 2 | 3 | S | 5 |
| 2 | Jo Downer | 123 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Rudy Jurg | 158 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | Andy Christie | 149 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 5 | Robin Ebsworth | 12 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| 7 | Richard Ambler | 156 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| 8 | Mike Toogood | 73 | 8 | R | S | 17 |