Bembridge Illusion Trafalgar Trophy 2024

With a number of regular Illusionists out in Barcelona supporting INEOS Britannia, the Great South run potentially making travel to/from the mainland difficult and a distinctly unpleasant forecast for Sunday, numbers on Saturday only just made double figures.

However those who were able to make it enjoyed four races in warm bright sunshine and a gentle F3 WSW breeze. With the likelihood of even lower numbers on Sunday, and Storm Ashley showing no signs of missing Bembridge, the decision to cancel the second days racing was an easy one.

Bembridge Illusion Trafalgar Trophy 2024 - photo © Mike Samuelson

The first race started 15 minutes late - a few boats had been doing their buoyancy checks before rather than after racing. Oliver Morgan was OCS but corrected so quickly that the X Flag did not get displayed.

Start of Race 1

David Russell-Jones lead the way round the windward mark but Raymond Simonds moved into the lead by the leeward gate. Over the next two rounds he extended the gap between the chasing boats and finished well ahead of David with Oliver third.

After a close start, the second race saw Simon Birchenough rounding the spreader first just ahead of Raymond and Bill Daniels. As the race unfolded David moved into the lead just ahead of Raymond. On the final run there was quite a bit of luffing and Raymond ended up taking a penalty. Meanwhile Bill took advantage of the two leading boats heading away from the gate and snook into lead finishing ahead of David and Raymond. Simon was fourth.

Start of Race 2

With the breeze flicking 20 + degrees at times and varying in strength, the majority of the fleet started the third race at the Committee boat end of the line. Bill nearly overcooked it but was just given the benefit of doubt as the ROs struggled to sight the line that was straight into the sun.

Start of Race 3

Owen Pay was first round the windward mark and despite pressure from Bill and David, he held his concentration and finished well ahead.

With Storm Ashley forecast to bring heavy rain and gale force winds on Sunday a fourth race was run so that the discard could kick in. Although Sam Christie was marginally OCS, to save a bit of time, he was not called back. Bill was first to the windward mark and although David and Raymond kept the pressure up he took his second win of the day.

Start of Race 4

All in all, four nice races in a nearly empty (of moored boats) harbour that saw Bill finish first with 4 points; David was second with 6 points and Raymond was third with 7 points. No racing next weekend, but its the Guy Fawkes Trophy the weekend after (2 & 3 November).

Overall Results: