Bembridge Sailing Club Early July 2026 Keelboat Racing
by Jos Coad & Mike Samuelson 7 Jul 10:06 BST
4-5 July 2026
Bembridge SC Keelboat Racing on 5th July 2026 © Mike Samuelson
Saturday 4 July
Three Redwings and four One-Designs came out to race in a SW4 and lovely sunny afternoon. Positioning the committee boat at Janson, the course was Garland, Ruthven twice round but coming back through the line after the first round.
The Redwings were lead by Mark Downer in Enigma, followed by Rory Morrison in Paroquet and Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence. Mark however ignored the requirement to come through the line and so, despite finishing first did not get a gun. Rory therefore took first place followed by Robin in second. For the second race the course was the same with Fitzwilliam added on the downward leg to Ruthven - once round. Again Mark got away ahead of the others and won comfortably from Rory in second and Robin in third; they finished just as the wind was rising to a SW'erly 5 gusting 6 which speeded their return to the moorings.
The four One-Designs had the same course for both races; the first race was shortened to once round given the requirement for a second race. Richard Coleman in No10 and Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 were very close throughout with Richard finishig 4 seconds ahead of Mark. Sarah Marshall in No 7 and Tad Ross in No 8 were some way back finishing some 3 minutes later. The course for the second race was as for the Redwings. As in the first race, Mark and Richard got away from the others and as in the first race were nip and tuck. However it was Mark who prevailed beating Richard by a minute with Tad coming in a close third and Sarah fourth.
Sunday 5 July
Although the Swallow Nationals held at Seaview were plagued for most of the morning by a lack of wind, come early afternoon a reasonably steady SW'erly sea breeze started to build and provided five Redwings and four One-Designs with some champagne sailing. Although programmed for just one race, the general consensus was for two races. With the Janson as the pin, the Redwings first race was a beat to Pepe, a long run Ruthven and a beat to the finish back at Janson. After a not particularly spectacular start, the majority tacked early and kept to the right hand side of the course.
Enigma (Mark Downer) was first round Pepe with Paroquet (Rory Morrison) not too far behind. Third was Avocet (Rupert Macinnes) with Snow Goose (Jonathan N-L) and Quintessence (Robin Ebsworh) in chase mode. Although by no means a procession the finish order was unchanged.
The second race took advantage of the excellent beat to Pepe, the long run to Ruthven and another excellent beat to finish at Pepe. After a much closer start, it was still Enigma rounding the windward mark ahead of Paroquet. Third was Quintessence just ahead of Snow Goose with Avocet bringing up the rear. By the time they reached the finish at Pepe, the only change was Snow Goose moving up to third and Quintessence down one place to fourth.
Turning to the One-Designs, their courses were similar to the Redwings except that Garland was used as the windward mark which worked well and resulted in only a short AP being required before the start of the second round of races despite all four boats using their smaller main and normal jib. In the first race, Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 sailed up the start line but ended up being just OCS when the hooter sounded. Fortunately it did not take him long to return albeit as can be seen in the video clip, he only cleared the line by the barest of margins.
All four tacked quite quickly after the start and went up the right hand side of the course rounding Garland at the same time as the Redwings were passing. Had they been using their normal mains they would have kept up with the Redwings on the run to Ruthven. Although not a procession, the rounding order at Garland was the same at the finish at Janson; Tad Ross in No 8, Mark G (single handed) in No 9 (Richard Coleman (single handed) in No 10 and Sarah Marshall in No 7.
The second start was closer than the first, although this time it was Richard Coleman in No 10 who over cooked it and had to return.
Although initially their finish was set as Garland so as to reduce the distance back to the moorings at Under Tyne, it soon became clear that splitting the finish was not going to work so the course was changed and they finished at Pepe. No 10 and No 7 (Sarah Marshall) had an excellent battle for third and fourth place with Richard just taking it by tacking just short of the line. At the front, there was an equally close finish with Mark crossing the line seconds ahead of Tad.
Two days of excellent sailing. Mid morning starts this coming weekend with the spectacle of the Round the Island Race on Saturday to enjoy.