Bembridge Illusion Stratton Memorial Trophy 2025

Bright sunshine and a gentle 8-9 knot NNEasterly breeze greeted the 15 Illusionists who despite Embankment Road being closed made it to the Club mid-morning Saturday to race for the Stratton Memorial Trophy. It really was a glorious morning to be out on the water.

Following a 15 minute postponement to allow the ROs to play around with the marks as they attempted to set the best course they could inside the harbour, the start of the first race was certainly interesting for those who went for a pin end start. Even with all his experience over so many years, Mark Downer found himself sucked into the chaos!

Start of Race 1

However, those who had opted for starting closer to the Committee Boat end of the line made good progress to the windward marks. First round was the husband and wife duo of Colin & Caroline Simonds with Rory Morrison and Owen Pay not far behind. As the race progressed Colin was able to pull away from Caroline to finish the 3 round race comfortably ahead; Owen was third and Mark came in fourth having moved steadily up the fleet after his poor start. As always some very close racing mid-fleet which saw Jo Downer cross the line mere inches ahead of David Peerless.

Bembridge Illusion Stratton Memorial Trophy 2025 - photo © Simon Birchenough

The start of the second race was, as always, very competitive with a couple of boats at the pin end given the benefit of doubt as they accelerated to cross the line as the hooter sounded.

Start of Race 2

First round the windward mark looked like Owen with Mark, Mike T, Julia, Oliver and Rory close behind. Unfortunately Julia suffered a steering problem and was unable to avoid ramming Ian Prideaux amidships. Unable to stop Mark moving into the lead during the second round, Owen had to work hard to keep Mike T, who found some extra pace downwind with a borrowed spinnaker destined for Vernon's old boat Illustration that is now in use as a loaner boat. Mid-fleet, Colin and Rory tied for eighth pace.

David and Owen were both over the line at the start of the third and final race of the day. Although Owen quickly circled back, it took David a bit longer to extract himself and clear his penalty.

Start of Race 3

Oliver, Mike T and Mark lead round the windward marks and on the run back down the harbour it was certainly not a follow-my leader; Oliver and Mike went down on the right of the course and Mark and Rory took the left hand side. After an excellent upwind leg, Mike T took the lead and initially looked as if he would be able to hold onto it for the rest of the race, but it was not to be and Mark moved ahead as they came to the leeward gate for the second time. A challenging race of three and a half rounds, won by Mark with Mike T second and some way behind, Rory third. A good race for Mike Issaias who picked up a fourth.

Bembridge Illusion Stratton Memorial Trophy 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Although not quite as warm as the previous day, Sunday morning was another sunny one with a light E'erly breeze. After a 20 minute postponement to ensure there was enough water in the centre of the harbour, fourteen boats got away to a clean start. The fifteenth, Owen, was OCS and had to circle back and the sixteenth, Bill Daniels had to pay catch up after arriving a bit late!

Start of Race 1 (4) on Sunday

Mark again lead the way rounding the windward marks ahead of Colin with Jo, David and Caroline initially not far behind, however by the time they came to finish after two rounds, Mark had stretched out his lead to nearly two minutes. Colin was second ahead of Caroline with Rory in fourth.

After four starts under Flag P, it was only a matter of time before Flag U would be brought into play; with a considerable number of boats well over at the pin end at the start of the second race, the only real option was a General Recall.

Start of Race 2 (5) on Sunday

The re-start (under Flag U) saw some very competitive sailing; especially by David who approached the pin on port and found enough space to tack quickly onto starboard.

Second start of Race 2 (5) on Sunday

Although quite a risky manoeuvre it paid off and he was first at the windward marks; indeed until the second run it looked as if he was going to win the race easily. But with Mark in second place, it was perhaps wishful thinking and he had to watch Mark ease himself into the lead well before they reached the leeward gate and the short beat back to the line - it was close though! Colin was second and Caroline was third.

Mid-fleet at the leeward gate Race 2 (5) on Sunday

Started again under Flag U, the final race of the day saw David repeating his risky port tack approach to the pin, however as with the previous race he timed it to perfection.

Start of Race 3 (6) on Sunday

Sadly for him though, Mark reached the windward marks in front and then just motor into an ever increasing lead over the two and a half round course. However, after close race with Oliver and Tim, he secured his second second of the day. A couple of places lower saw Mike T finish inches ahead of Colin.

An excellent weekend's racing in almost perfect conditions. With five first places, the trophy, first raced for in 2012, was for the seventh time picked up by Mark. Well, although the amazing silver 'nef' galleon actually remains in the Club, the picture of the inaugural race goes back on the Downer's wall! Despite only one second, her top end of the fleet consistency saw Caroline coming second, two points ahead of her husband Colin. David was fourth a single point behind.

Bembridge Illusion Stratton Memorial Trophy 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

No racing next weekend due to the tides; the one after (15 - 16 March) is the Spring Plate.

Overall Results: