Bembridge Illusion Vernon's Easter Egg Cup

After the best part of a week's sunny weather, sadly the first day (Good Friday) was pretty miserable (especially for the Race Officer's who were in an open launch & a RIB) as it was wet and the F4 SE'erly meant that racing had to be in the harbour despite more moored boats to negotiate.

The first race got away to a clean start and the fleet soon split tacks as they made their way up to the windward marks off Selwyn Pontoon. Philip Russell was first round with Raymond Simonds, Mike Issaias, David Russell-Jones and Oliver Morgan not far behind.

Start of Race 1 on Good Friday

Over the next two rounds Raymond moved into the lead with David and Oliver picking up second and third. Philip ended up fourth. Another clean start to Race 2 and again split tacks as they set off towards the windward marks. James Wilson was well ahead of Raymond, Rory Morrison, Colin Simonds and Mike Toogood by the time they headed back towards the leeward gate. However, over the next two rounds Raymond closed the gap and crossed the finish line in front. James was second and Colin was third.

Start of Race 2 on Good Friday

With the breeze veering more southerly, the Race Officers did their best to re-set the course without too much of a delay. However it took three starts and the Black Flag to eventually get them away.

Start 1 of Race 3 on Good Friday

Start 2 of Race 3 (Flag U) on Good Friday

Start 3 of Race 3 (Black Flag) on Good Friday

Mike Issaias was first to reach the top end of the course and despite pressure from Colin and Oliver, he held his nerve and crossed the finish line in front after three and a half rounds. James was fourth and Raymond had to make do with sixth. It was great to see Anna Row back in her Illusion and although finally finishing eighth her moment of glory came during the first round when she started the first run in fourth place. It was also good to see Archie Hine helming Monty Irwin's boat into sixth place.

Bembridge Illusion Vernon's Easter Egg Cup - photo © Mike Samuelson

What a difference 24 hours makes! Fortunately the weather on Saturday afternoon was considerably nicer. Although the Easterly swell ruled out any thoughts of venturing out of the harbour, at least with the breeze a bit more easterly than the previous day, it meant that a pretty reasonable course was achievable. The first race of the day got away twenty five minutes later than programmed but it was worth the wait. Although sadly not all of the previous day's sailors were available, it was good to see six or seven new faces. After a clean start (just!) the fleet of 20 boats split tacks as they headed for the windward marks set just off the Redwing Quay.

Start of Race 1 (4) on Easter Saturday

Rosie Gosling was first round with James, Raymond, Bill Daniels and Hugh Doherty not far behind. Still ahead as she got ready for the windward gate, she had a bit of a brainstorm and forgot she had to go through the middle of the gate. Although this put her into third or fourth she managed to claw her way back into contention over the next coule of rounds to finish second behind Bill with James third. Lower down the fleet there were a number of very close finishes.

Bembridge Illusion Vernon's Easter Egg Cup - photo © Mike Samuelson

The second start was very tight and probably should have seen some individual recalls, but with the breeze gusting 20 knots at times, it was decided to call the line clear. As it was there were a few mid-line entanglements as boats tacked early in an effort to get over to the right hand side of the beat.

Start of Race 2 (5) on Easter Saturday

Raymond's white with a red stripe spinnaker was the first to fly after rounding the spreader; Mike T, Mike I, Rosie, Caroline and James were not far behind and did their best to keep the pressure up. However come the last round, Raymond had established a significant lead. Interestingly Rosie was second despite having no spinnaker for the last two rounds. Colin and James tied for sixth place. Immediately after he had finished, Mike T advised the ROs that he was protesting Mike I for an incident on the first run.

Bembridge Illusion Vernon's Easter Egg Cup - photo © Mike Samuelson

It took two goes to get the third and final race of the day off. The second (with Flag U as the preparatory) start was 'pitch perfect'. As in the previous two races, the fleet split tacks on the beats and enjoyed some challenging gusts as they ran down to the leeward gate. Raymond rounded the windward marks just ahead of Mike T with Colin, Bill, James and Oliver working hard to catch him.

1st Start of Race 3 (6) on Easter Saturday

2nd Start of Race 3 (6) on Easter Saturday

By the time they finished at the windward mark after three and a half rounds, Raymond was well ahead and therefore picked up his fourth first of the Regatta. Bill ws second ahead of Mike T with Colin and James taking fourth and fifth. Mike I had a senior moment and misread the finishing line so retired.

A great afternoon's racing that certainly made up for the somewhat unpleasant conditions the previous day. Raymond was well ahead on points; Colin squeezed into second one point ahead of Mike I who was third on a tie break with James after it was decided there was insufficient information available to resolve Mike T's protest during the second race of the day.

Bembridge Illusion Vernon's Easter Egg Cup - photo © Mike Samuelson

Next weekend sees the final two trophies of the season. On Saturday its the St George's Day Trophy (four races all to count); and on Sunday the Woodford Long Distance Trophy.

Overall Results: