Bembridge Sailing Club Early/Mid July 2026 Keelboat Racing
by Robin Joy & Mike Samuelson 17 Jul 08:47 BST
11-12 July 2026
Bembridge SC Keelboat Racing on 11th July 2026 © Russ Fowler
Saturday
On a brilliantly sunny morning, a slightly unsteady NE 12 kts gave Ruthven as an obvious windward mark for the seven Redwings and three One-Designs who came out to race on Saturday. Tides dictated an early 08:00 meet at BSC for a 09:00 start. The start line was laid half way out to Janson, with Pepe set as a leeward mark.
The Redwings all started well, with the fleet splitting a bit on the first beat, but neither side seemed favoured, and they were closely bunched as they started the downwind leg. Staying on starboard gybe as the furthest boat out to the right of the rhumb line worked well for Matt Alexander in Harlequin, and he reached in on port to lead at Pepe, just a little ahead of Rory Morrison in Paroquet and Mark Downer in Enigma.
The wind was easing rather at this point to below 10 kts, and Rory made the most of a couple of windshifts to get through Matt to win. Mark was third, Redstart helmed by Tom Preston fourth. Then it was Serena Gosling in Gosling, Andrew Eddy in Plover, and Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence.
The awkward slop from several days of easterlies was easing as the wind dropped, and a shorter first beat to JJ, then down to Garland, and back up through the line, twice round was the course for race two. The wind veered somewhat during the race, slightly spoiling the second beat, but Rory again worked his magic, and led from the start. Mark was the only real challenger, but Rory won by almost 5 minutes in a 45 minute race. Matt was third this time, and Redstart fourth, followed by Robin, Andrew, and Serena.
Only three One-Designs raced, over the same course as the Redwings, with Richard Coleman in No10, Ed Burrows in No2, and James Beart in No5. James and Richard were very close at the start, with James deciding to tack away onto port, which he then held way off to the right side of the beat. His strategy worked well for him, and he was a very clear leader at the windward mark.
Richard's use on No10's spinnaker was to no avail, and he couldn't catch James on the run, which was shortened to Footprint in the dropping breeze. Richard was pointing well, and made up ground on the beat to the finish, but James won by over a minute, with Ed coming in after Richard.
The BOD's second race was just a single round of the Redwings' course, with Richard leading throughout. He increased his lead by again flying his spinnaker on the run, and James had to settle for second this time, again followed by Ed. A bit of an overnight blow from the east was forecast, so all boats returned into the harbour on to the Redwing moorings, and thanks are due to the helpers who moved the un-sailed One-Designs back in from Under Tyne.
The relatively light conditions and a easterly breeze meant that racing had finished before the spectacular sight of the Round the Island Race fleets streaming past Bembridge manifested itself.
Sunday
With the forecast still showing a F5 NE'erly for Sunday morning, it was perhaps not that surprising that there were not many takers - only two Redwings (Enigma helmed by Mark Downer and Redwing helmed by Olav Cole) and sadly no One-Designs.
Rory Morrison had hoped to be sailing Paroquet but his mother was taken ill overnight so he had to remain on dry land. A start line was set up at Pepe to avoid Redwing, which had launched from the Quay, having to beat too far once out of the harbour. In the event Enigma (which had been moored at under Tyne overnight) reached the start area before Redwing who had a problem with their main halyard.
Once sorted and a HOB (hat overboard) recovered, the race got off to a close start with both boats close to the line and Redwing just to windward.
They had a good beat to Janson through some quite sizeable waves. Enigma tacked back onto starboard just after Footprint while Redwing remained on port but then overstood by 40 plus metres to allow Enigma to round unopposed, Surfing down the waves they made good progress back to Pepe and finished with a shorter round to Footprint and back to finish at Pepe. With Redwing over standing Footprint by 20m, it became a bit if a procession with Enigma finishing well ahead.
A fun race with some challenging sea conditions.
Early afternoon racing next weekend with the Redwing Youth 'Youth Nationals' on Saturday.