Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate 2023

Not the kindest of forecasts, certainly for Saturday with a Force 6 gusting 7 WSW'erly, so it was no great surprise to only see a smattering of Illusionists in the Illusion Park. However with two mainlanders en-route it was decided to postpone the go, no-go decision until they arrived via the Fast Cat as the Hover was not operating.

With the wind over tide in the centre of the harbour kicking up a nasty sea, it was agreed that if racing was going to happen then it would be outside the harbour in front of the St Helens Duver wall.

Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate - photo © Mike Samuelson

Although there was considerable umming and ahing, five intrepid helms eventually took to the water and reached to the start area. Mike Toogood and David Peerless were both within inches of the line at the start of the first race. A strong gust at the start put paid to Owen Pay's strategy of starting close to the pin as he missed the buoy and had to circle back.

Start of Race 1

Mike was a long way ahead as he rounded the windward marks and held onto this lead for the rest of the three round race. Sensibly no one risked flying a spinnaker in the gusty 16-18 knot breeze. David finished comfortably ahead of Mike Issaias, Monty Irwin and Owen Pay.

With Monty heading back to the harbour because his all important electric pump was playing up, the other four crossed the line for the second race neatly paired up.

Start of Race 2

Mike and David were neck and neck for the first two rounds but as they began the third round, David moved well ahead after a port and starboard incident close to the pin. Owen meanwhile retired after he also had problems with his pump which left Mike Issaias to take third.

On the run, Race 2

With no sign of the breeze abating, it was decided to call it a day and for the remaining three boats to return back to the Illusion Park and have four races the following day.

Although it had rained most of the night, it had dried off a bit come early afternoon on Sunday. As forecast, the breeze had abated and gone round to the North so it was decided to keep the thirteen Illusions in the harbour as there was enough water over the sandbank in the middle of the harbour for the programmed start at 14:00. In the event there was a postponement but only for a couple of minutes. The first of the planned four races got away cleanly in about 8 knots.

Start of Race 3 (Sunday)

Oliver Morgan, Alastair Speare-Cole and David Peerless were the first three round the windward marks, with Mike Toogood and Caroline Simonds not far behind. The run to the leeward gate was close but Alastair got his nose in front and held onto the lead for the remainder of the three round race. Oliver was second and David third.

Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate - photo © Mike Samuelson

The start of the second race was not the best; no one was OCS but neither did anyone cross the line with inches to spare! As the leaders after Saturday's racing, David and Mike were never very far apart pre-start, and with the former managing to hold the latter back, he was content to let others take the first three places. Initially the lead was held by Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore but with Alastair and Olly Laughton-Scott close behind, it was clear it was going to be a close run thing. In the event it was Olly's yellow spinnaker that pulled him out in front and win the two round race. Alastair was second and Jonathan, who just held David off, was third. Mid-fleet, Caroline, Mike Issaias and Andy Christie all finished with inches between them.

Start of Race 4 (Sunday)

Despite the breeze beginning to go a bit light, the start of the third race was very close with David inches from being OCS, however it was Alastair's blue spinnaker that was the first to fly after the spreader mark. Not far behind were Andy Christie, Caroline and Owen Pay. As the two round race unfolded, Alastair managed to hold his lead and Owen moved up into 2nd ahead of David and Andy. Not a good race for Oliver who messed up his start timings and then got completely becalmed!

Start of Race 5 (Sunday)

The breeze increased to around 15 knots during the start sequence of the fourth and final race of the day. Started under Flag U so as to reduce the need for a General Recall, and with the course adjusted to the right, it was again Jonathan's blue spinnaker that lead the way down the first run; initially Ed Eddy and Robin Ebsworth were his closest rivals but as the race, which given the increase in the breeze, was extended to a full three rounds, they were overtaken by David, Alastair and Oliver. A nice end to the weekend.

Start of Race 6 (Sunday)

So well done to David who won the Spring Plate with 11 points; second was Alastair who had equal points (22) with Mike T but with two firsts to Mike's one, sneaked ahead on the count back.

Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate - photo © BSC

No racing next weekend, then it's Easter with racing on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

Overall Results: