Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate 2025

As evident from its name, the 'Spring Plate' celebrates the arrival of Spring! First raced for in 1996, the big question was whether fourteen time winner Mark Downer, was going to win for the fifteenth time!

Although certainly pretty chilly, the developing sunshine on Saturday morning and a Force 3-5 NE'erly breeze provided some great racing. After a rather longer AP than normal to allow the windward marks in particular to be laid, seventeen boats started the first race in about 19 knots of breeze.

Start of Race 1

Despite the tide still flooding, most headed over to the St Helens shore and then approached the windward marks on port. Mark Downer's grey spinnaker was the first to fly as they ran back down. Indeed even after that first beat, Mark was comfortably ahead of the rest of the fleet lead by Bruce Huber, Jo Downer, Oliver Morgan and Raymond Simonds. Little changed at the front of the fleet over the next two rounds other than Mark extending his lead. Bruce was second and Jo was third. Although in the bottom half of the fleet, it was nevertheless good to see Tiger Tellwright back in an Illusion.

Although not by much, someone got away with it at the start of the second race after the Race Officers could not identify who it was!

Start of Race 2

Mark again powered his way to the front of the fleet with Raymond not far behind. Gusting occasionally at just under 20 knots, there were a number of pretty spectacular broaches on the run to the leeward gate.

Run Race 2

Jo and Bruce had a close race for third and fourth, as did Oliver and Monty for fifth and sixth. Of note that a number of boats who rounded the starboard gate mark and who then found themselves struggling to make the pin end of the line to complete the round, Unfortunately just after he had finished Tim Lyle was t-boned by Will Lowe who was on his way to the leeward gate under spinnaker. Tim was subsequently awarded average points for the remaining races.

Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

There was a slight delay in the start of the third race while Tim was towed back to the Club and the windward spreader was re-laid for the second or third time. As it was, at least half the fleet over cooked it and were brought back under a General Recall.

Start (1) of Race 3

The re-start under Flag U went off better with Mark yet again leading the way over to the St Helens shore. Hugh Doherty found himself in second and although he could not close the gap on Mark, he held off challenges from Jo and Justin Biddle. Bruce meanwhile, after a mediocre start could not improve on a fifth place. As always some close finishes lower down the fleet exemplified by Robin Ebsworth and David Russell-Jones tying for thirteenth place after three and a half rounds.

Start (2) of Race 3

Sunday was almost perfect with warm sunshine and a ENE'erly F3-4 breeze. After a short postponement, sixteen boats made a clean start. Although initially in the bottom half of the fleet it was particularly good to see Xander Shaw joining in the fray again. Carrying on from where he left off the day before, it was Mark's grey spinnaker that was the first to fly after rounding the spreader mark.

Start of Race 1 (4) on Sunday

However David Russell-Jones was close behind and found himself in the lead going into the second round. Sadly for him, Mark managed to re-take the lead and crossed the line at the end of three rounds comfortably ahead, Raymond was third and his brother Colin was fourth.

Another clean start for the second race of the day; made all the more interesting with BHYC's Scows rounding their mark leeward mark no far from the pin!

Start of Race 2 (5) on Sunday

By the time they reached the windward mark, Mark had already stamped his authority on the race and was at least 75 metres ahead of Raymond. On the third round Raymond made up a few boat lengths and finished second well ahead Bruce and Jo. Meanwhile the mid-fleet boats had some very close racing with David, Alastair, Bill Daniels (who had missed the first race), Owen, Xander and Mike Issaias all finishing within seconds of each other.

Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

The start of the third and final race of the day was extremely close with three or four boats crossing the line 'pitch perfect'!

Start of Race 3 (6) on Sunday

However there was no holding Mark who just seemed to be going that much faster than the rest of the fleet and extended his lead to finish over 30 seconds ahead of David and Raymond. Bruce was fourth and initially Jo was fifth just ahead of Alastair. However having replayed how she had crossed the finish line, she retired!

Two excellent days racing; Congratulations to Mark who with a clean sweep of first places won the Spring Plate for the fifteenth time. Raymond was second and Bruce was third.

Bembridge Illusion Spring Plate 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

No racing next weekend because of the tides, but then its the National Championships the one after (29-30 March).

Additional photos at flic.kr/s/aHBqjC5JfN

Overall Results: