Bembridge Illusion Late November Fleet Racing

A forecast of strong winds over the weekend put paid to the planned Team Racing Championships. In the event, it was spot on for Saturday but team racing on Sunday would have undoubtedly been possible, however setting everything up for one day was simply not practical.

Offered fleet racing in lieu, four of the keenest Illusionists turned up mid-morning on Saturday, and although fleet racing might have just been possible, it was very marginal so it was decided to play safe and remain ashore. With the rain lashing down not long after the decision was made, coffee in the bar tasted even better than normal!

Bembridge Illusion November fleet racing - photo © Mike Samuelson

Conditions late morning Sunday were a whole different ball game and the F3 Westerly provided the opportunity for a long course in the harbour; it was therefore disappointing that numbers were lower than we have come to expect but understandable.

Start of Race 1 (Sunday)

After a good start they split tacks; Hugh Doherty who had decided that the best course was up the middle was first to round the windward marks just ahead of John Birchenough and Ian Prideaux. John moved into the lead during the second round but was unable to hold Hugh off on the final run. Mike Toogood was third a boat length behind John.

The second race followed a similar pattern, but initially with different players.

Start of Race 2 (Sunday)

There was not much between Mike Issaias, Mike T, Xander Shaw (who had not been able to make the first race) and Hugh as they came to finish the first round. Xander and Hugh moved into the lead on the second beat with Hugh managing to get front as they got back to the leeward gate for his second win. Mike I was third and very unusually there were two ties - John & Ian (4=) and Mike T & Simon (6=).

Race 3 saw an excellent start in 7.5 knots of wind.

Start of Race 3 (Sunday)

Hugh initially took the lead on the first run to the leeward gate, but during the second round Xander and Mike T moved up into the lead. Hugh finished a close third.

Having tried his hardest to push Xander over the line early, Mike T was called OCS at the pin end of the line at the start of the fourth and final race of the day.

Start of Race 4 (Sunday)

Starting last therefore should have been a disadvantage, however his subsequent choice of tacks put him third at the windward marks and into the lead by the time the race finished. Ian was second and Mike I was third. Xander, who had been up with leaders had the misfortune of catching a spinnaker sheet on a mooring buoy which dropped him to sixth.

Bembridge Illusion November fleet racing - photo © Mike Samuelson

After taking a discard, Hugh was first overall, one point ahead of Mike T; Xander was third and Mike I was fourth.

No racing next weekend due to the tides. It is the Picnic Hamper the one after (6 - 7 December).

Overall Results: