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Pretty dismal weather for sailing for most of the week, however the One-Designs managed in the end to complete all their special races. Well done to Brian & D Orange who won the Spouses Match; to Jos Coad who won the Burrows single handed race; Helen Mathieson the Cartright Trophy; D Orange (on count back) the prestigious Jubilee Trophy; D Orange the Selwyn Cup for the Saturday of the BHYC Regatta; Norman Marshall the Hector Humphray Cup for the very windy (F5 gusting F6 Westerly) Sunday of the BHYC Regatta, and finally John Harbord-Hamond the Victory Trophy for the Bank Holiday Weekend.
In the Redwings meanwhile, Jonathan Peel set an interesting course for the Jeannie Cochrane final on Saturday morning - Windward Mark, Leeward Mark five times round! After a close start Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II was the convincing winner beating Dominic Samuelson in Tarpon and Nicko Robertson in Musicus. Meanwhile Jo Greenwood in Rosetta won the Chetwood Trophy ahead of Rosie Gosling in Gosling and Henny Chetwood in Ladybird. In the afternoon BHYC Regatta race, Tom Chetwood in Ladybird had an excellent race and came in well ahead of the other 12 starters. Although a few managed to leave their moorings in the very blustery conditions on Sunday, all decided better of it before the start and so there was no race. On Monday morning only three crews turned up for the Mercedes Trophy (Ladies race) which was a pity as conditions were ideal. Well done to Sue Wakefield in Bizarre who beat Rosie Gosling in Gosling & Lucy Benham in Paroquet. In the afternoon the northerly breeze was up and down but Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II managed to remain ahead of Robin Ebsworth in Qunitessence and John Raymond in Harlequin.
There were only seven Darings for the traditional Daring Regatta which was a pity as they had some excellent racing in the challenging conditions. The overall winner was Lavinia Perry in Dreamer.
16 - 22 August
A quieter week both on and off the water with only a smallish Oppy course and a few keelboats out racing every day. However, there were seventeen scow sailors competing in the two race Scow Championships on Tuesday evening. Well done to Graham Sutton who won both races and therefore is this year's Scow Champion. Barry Dyer was second, Chris Wilkinson was third. Ally Tidbury was the first Lady helm and David Earee was helming the first wooden scow.
Although numbers were fewer than the past couple of years because of the strong breeze, a good number braved the annual "Scow Parade" around St Helens Fort on Wednesday evening.
Congratulations to the following prize winners on Oppy 4:
Curling Cup (most improved Oppy 4) - Serena Sawyer
Race Cup (4 races over the BSC & SVYC Regattas - Oscar Chalmers
Race Prize (for racing during the week) - Olivia Goodwin
Watt Prize (best kept Oppy during Oppy 4) - Alexander Huber (who also won the overall 2010 Best Kept Oppy Trophy).
No Redwings out during the week and only a limited number of One-Designs. Well done to James & Charlotte Row who won the Margetson Trophy (family pairs) on Saturday morning. By the afternoon the breeze had increased to Force 5 and provided some exciting keelboat racing (including a few Darings); Hamish Janson in Streak won both Daring races in some challenging conditions particularly out by St Helens Channel Buoy. By dint of some excellent course setting by PRO Jonathan Peel four Redwings and three One-Designs enjoyed some sporting racing. Tom Chetwood in Ladybird scored a well deserved victory finishing about 20 seconds ahead of Michael MacInnes in Avocet; and D Orange in No 11 One-Design came in well ahead of the remainder.
On Sunday, the problem was the absence of wind rather than too much. With little sign of things improving until later in the afternoon, racing for the Darings was abandoned without a sail being hoisted. However, by 15:00 there was enough of a breeze to make racing possible for the nine Redwings and six One-Designs out. Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II returned to form and beat Tom Chetwood in Ladybird by just over a minute after an hour and quarter race. Rosie Gosling in Gosling was third. William Bland meanwhile scored a notable first in the One-Designs ahead of Martin Bonham & D Orange.
Finally, well done to Lottie Pink (aged 8) who completed the second leg of her rowing challenge in support of Great Ormond Street by rowing around St Helens Fort in her Starfish dinghy on Sunday morning accompanied by her grandfather (in very old rowing boat), her father (in a kayak) and the rest of the family in a RIB. She took one and a half hours. Thanks so much to everyone who has so generously sponsored her.
9 - 15 August
A very busy week with larger than normal Oppy 3 and Cadet Week 2 courses. Well done to all the instructors who helped make both courses such a success; and of course congratulations to the following who won trophies:
Mackinnon Quiach (handicap racing) - Jos Laughton-Scott
Captain's Compass (effort & enthusiasm) - Xan Coptcoat
Tucknott Trophy (most improved) - Bea Jervis
Curling Cup (most improved Oppy 3) - Rosie Bennett
Portland Trophy (Oppy racing during the week including Regattas) - Archie Goodwin
Watt Prize (best kept Oppy during Oppy 3) - Xander MacInnes
The annual BSC v SVYC race on Monday alas went yet again to Sea View, however not without a fight! Next year perhaps! The annual Regatta on Friday & Saturday was pretty well supported - the Force 6 squall that blew through on Friday afternoon was certainly challenging for the dinghy fleets (as well as the race officers and safety boats), and great patience was required on Saturday as the light breeze dropped to a whisper as the afternoon went on and shortened courses became the order of the day. The winning helms were as follows:
Darings - Friday (4 starters) Darius - Richard Acland; Saturday (3 starters) Defiant - Charles Perry
Redwings - Friday (12 starters) Red Gauntlet II - Joe Robertson; Saturday (14 starters) Tarpon - Dominic Samuelson
Seaview Mermaids - Friday (10 starters) No 3 - Richard Taylor; Saturday (No starters).
One-Designs - Friday (8 starters) No 4 - John H-Hamond; Saturday (7 starters) No 9 - James Row.
Squibs - Friday (3 starters) No 500 Martin Harrison; Saturday (2 starters) No 689 - Tim Farquhar.
Optimists - Friday (13 starters) No 6023 - Leonora Hobbs; Saturday (18 starters) No 5772 - Sam Rice.
Scows - Friday (13 starters) No 619 - Barry Dyer; Saturday (18 starters) No 584 John Cleave.
Slow Handicap - Friday (No starters); Saturday (5 starters) Pico - Ophelia Knight.
Lasers - Friday (22 starters) No 35450 - Nick Haynes; Saturday (27 starters) No 177957 - Jack Daniels.
Fast Handicap - Friday (19 starters) RS Feva - Poppy Daniel; Saturday (6 starters) RS Feva - Poppy Daniel.
1 - 8 Aug
A somewhat quieter week on the water with only Oppy 2 and a small number of One-Designs racing until the weekend. Off the water of course it was Ball week, so dinghy parking was its usual nightmare! A larger than normal Oppy 2 went off pretty well, again helped by the good weather; that said the squall that blew through on Wednesday afternoon was a real test and well done to the instructors who made all the right calls. Congratulations to the following Cup/Trophy winners.
Curling Cup (Most Improved) - Georginia Pollock
Biggest Pot (Racing) - Oscar Chalmers
Best Kept Oppy - Adair Verey.
The Redwings had some excellent racing at Cowes - congratulations to Justin Biddle & Nick Woolgar who won the Janson Salver as the overall winners.
Only one taker for the Hulbert Prize (under 19s) on Saturday morning in the One-Designs so by default , well done to Alex Marshall. James Nainby-Luxmoore in No 11 was the convincing winner of the Brinton Trophy over the weekend.
25 - 31 July
Another very successful Cadet Week, blessed by some excellent sailing weather. Slightly lower numbers (64) at Bembridge than last year but many more (15) made the trek to Gurnard where they appear to have had some great sailing and certainly benefited from exposure to racing away from their normal sailing area. Well done to Ed Eddy & Richard Gunston who ran a very successful top group using a mix of Laser 3000s, Laser Vago & Laser 2s ; they had a great day sail to Langstone and Chichester and enjoyed lunch at Hayling island Sailing Club. Many thanks to all the instructors and the myriad of helpers both on and off the water who made all work so well. Congratulations to the following cup & trophy winners:
Beginners Trophy (Best Colt) - Abi Jordan
Scow Cup (Topaz Uno most improved) - James Wilson
Catseye & Clarissa (Oppy most improved) - Nellie Popplewell
Butler Trophy (Oppy racing) - Tx Finney
David Niven Trophy (Tres most improved) - Letty Byatt
Firefly Cup (Topaz racing) - Myles Powell & Ed Gage
420 Cup (Uno + racing) - Hugh Laughton-Scott
Sharman Trophy (Laser most improved) - Ollie Joy
Clegg Tankard - (Laser B Group Racing) - Ben Stoddart-Stones
Genevieve Trophy (Overall Laser racing) - Jos Laughton-Scott
Salamander Trophy (Best Under 15 Cadet) - Iso Paskin-Orr
Amelia Jessel Prize ( Best Under 18 Cadet) - George Matthews
Evelyn Morton Cup (Team racing) - Richard Phillips & Spin Guy's team (Molly N-Luxmoore, Ollie Joy, Ella Vickerman, Myles Powell & Ed Gage, Lettie Byatt & Ed Speare-Cole, Tx Finney, Charlie Kitching & Jack Cox, Blue 3000)
Rusty Shackle - Tabby Luxmoore-Styles
Although programmed, there were no takers for the Redwing & One-Design races during the week. Tom Scott in Siskin was first over the line at Cowes in the Redwing Passage Race on Friday. D Orange beat James Row in the One-Designs on Friday; on Saturday there were 7 boats and although James Row was first over the line, he went round the penultimate buoy the wrong way so failed to complete the course. This put Rosanna Beart up to 1st in No 11, John Harbord-Hamond in No 4 was just under a minute later and Donald Biddle was 3rd in No 5. On Sunday, Will Harbord-Hamond in No 4 won the Bavarian Tankard (under 19 helms, crew any age); Rosanna Beart was 2nd in No 5 and Ollie Joy was 3rd in No 8. In the afternoon, there were 6 boats out; D Orange in No 11, afer some tenacious sailing particularly in the second round, came in a minute ahead of Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 and Sophie Bonham in No 2.
19 - 25 July
Overall a very successful first course week - mind you the weather undoubtedly helped with only one wet morning and no particularly strong breezes. There were 46 on Laser/Topaz Week and 36 on Oppy 1. Aside of course all of the intructors and helpers, many congratulations to the following cup & trophy winners.
Tidbury Trophy (Laser Radial most improved) - Alex Toogood
Truman Tankard (Laser 4.7 most improved) - Poppy Maltby
Musker Cup (Laser 4.7 racing) - Jamie Cobb
Du Boulay Cup (Laser Handicap racing) - Freddie Chalmers
Evans Cup (Topaz most improved) - Abigail Doherty
Palmer Trophy (Topaz Uno racing) - Barney Bennett
Seymour Prize (Tres racing) - Robert Tidbury & Will H- Hammond
Evelyn Morton Bowl (Team Racing) - Purple Team
Curling Cup (most improved Oppy 1) - Venetia Comparelli
Middle Pot (Oppy racing) - Archie Goodwin
Watt Prize (best kept Oppy during Oppy 1) - Charlie Inglis
Meanwhile six One-Designs and three Redwings had a thoroughly enjoyable racing in the Cowes Classic Week.
There was a good turnout of Redwings over the weekend at last (14 on Saturday & 11 on Sunday). The start had to be delayed on Saturday as the Race Officers (Mark Grzegorczyk & Roy Burrows) searched for a usable breeze. After a long race (just over 90 minutes), line honours went to Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II who finished nearly 10 minutes ahead of George Eddy in Plover; Mark Andreae in Prawn was third. The race sheets show that fifth (David McCue in Musicus), sixth (Michael MacInnes in Avocet) and seventh (James Tate in Enigma) must have had an epic race as the finished within seconds of each other. Six One-Designs in the meantime also found the variable conditions equally frustrating. Helen Mathieson in No 1 finished about half a minute ahead of James Row in No 8 with Jos Coad in No 3 in third place about 30 seconds behind. Donald Biddle in No 5 was fourth, John Deacon in No6 was fifth. Tim Bonham in No 2 retired.
Three Redwings finished off with a short "crew race"; well done to Leafy Eddy in Plover who beat Henry Andreae in Prawn and Peter Harvey in Quintessence.
The annual BSDC Parents Race was keenly competed for by 13 helms and included a new finish line off the pontoon! Well done to Oliver Morgan who had masterminded it all and came in first ahead of Francesca Morgan & Norman Marshall.
Sunday saw some interesting racing in the very variable & fickle conditions. After a short postponment eight Redwings headed off to the Princessa via the Bembridge Ledge. Michael MacInnes in Avocet led the whole way but on the final beat back to Garland to finish was overtaken by Tom Chetwood in Ladybird who had somehow read the tide right as the wind dropped. Colin Samuelson in Tarpon was second and Leafy Eddy in Plover was third. Mark Andreae in Prawn and Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence were fourth & fifth seperated by mere inches.
Five One-Designs started and had a nice beat into Under Tyne, however the wind dropped as they closed on Ruthven. Donald Biddle in No 5 just made it and was a good 10 minutes ahead of Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 and Jos Coad in No 7 when the course was shortened at Garland.
Finally, very disappointingly the EWCC Dinghy Regatta racing on Sunday morning ended up being abandoned when the wind died and progress against the increasingly strong tide became impossible.
17 - 18 July
Excellent days sailing on Saturday in the brisk SW F4/5 breeze. Nine Redwings started; Mike MacInnes in Avocet was OCS althought returned quickly and finished 4th. Matt Alexander in Harlequin & Joe Roberin the ntCla lett II had a very close race with the former finishing about 30 seconds ahead of the latter. Rosie Gosling in Gosling was 3rd just under a minute later. In the One Designs meanwhile there were only 3 boats out. Mark Grz in No 9 and James Row in No 8 having an excellent tussle which Mark won by a mere 4 seconds. Tim Bonham was 3rd in No 2.
The sun and SW 4 breeze made for some excellent racing on Sunday. After a somewhat confused start with 3 boats initially OCS, Mike MacInnes in Avocet came home about 30 seconds ahead of Tom Scott in Siskin. "A" Gosling brought Gosling back in 3rd and Robin Ebsworth in Qunitessence was 4th. There were 4 One-Designs out racing; James Row in No 8 finished just over 30 seconds ahead of Rob Mathieson in No 1 with Emma Bonham in No 2 in 3rd and Mark Grz an uncharacteristic back backer.
10 - 11 July
Fog creeping around the Ledge from the south of the Island was a bit unnerving on Saturday for Keith & Meri Benham's first time in charge as Race Officers. However, after a 15 minute postponement to allow the wind to settle and the fog to clear, six Redwings & three One-Designs enjoyed a nice race. The original course for the Redwings (starting at Derrick to Under Tyne three times round) was changed at Derrick second time round to Nainby as the breeze veered southerly. Michael MaInnes in Avocet crossed the line some 45 seconds ahead of Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence with Caroline Peel in Redstart II a couple of minutes later. Matt Alexander in Harlequin was 4th, Dominic Samuelson helming for the first time this season in Tarpon was 5th and Nick Wakefield in Bizarre was the back marker. In the One-Designs meanwhile, Robin Joy in No 10 finished 30 seconds ahead of James Row in No 8 with Pat Spalding in No 12 some way behind.
Six Redwings on Sunday but only two One-Designs found themselves with a 90 degree windshift which made course setting somewhat hit and miss. Matt Alexander in Harlequin was well ahead at the finish at Under Tyne. Robin Ebsworth had another second in Quintessence a minute ahead of Mark Andreae in Prawn. Fraser Morrisin in Skua was fourth, Carina Saner in Redwing did well to come in fifth after a rather late start, and Claudia Beach in Bizarre was sixth. James Row in No 8 One-Design and James Beart in No 5 had a close race and finished only 20 seconds apart after just under an hours race.
3 - 4 July
Four redwings and ten One-Designs were out racing on Saturday in near perfect conditions in a Force 4 NE breeze. Mike MacInnes in Avocet finished a minute and a half ahead of Mark Andreae in Prawn; Peter Grimaldi was a few minutes later in Redwing. The Benham's in Paroquet retired.
Meanwhile Donald Biddle in No 4 one-design had an excellent race and was the clear winner ahead of Mark Grz in No 11 and Susie Beart in No 4. Martin Bonham sailing in No 1 was 4th, Robin Joy in No 10 was 5th, Roy Burrows in No 9 was 6th, Sarah Marshall in No 7 was 7th, Sophie Bonham in No 2 was 8th, Xander Shaw in No 6 was 9th and James Row in No 8 was the back marker. There were reports of Nos 4 & 11 taking in water, probably due to the recent hot weather.
No racing on Sunday - too windy!
26 - 27 June
Lots of lot of wind and what was there was somewhat variable. Seven Redwings & one One-Design started on the annual long distance race for the Zanen Trophy. In the event it turned into something of a standard race from Tara to Nainby, Under Tyne, Nainby with a finish at Under Tyne in about an hour and a quarter which was a bit disappointing. Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence crossed the line first (and won the Zanen Trophy) just over 5 seconds ahead of Tom Scott in Siskin having overtaken him on the final beat. Mike MacInnes in Avocet was third home about two minutes later but Peter Truman in the lone One-Design took 3rd place on handicap having sailed an excellent race.
On Sunday, there were only 5 Redwings out in the light Easterly breeeze. Tom Scott in Siskin beat Matt Alexander in Harlequin by just over 30 seconds. Mike MacInnes was 3rd some 5 minutes later. Even though he was the tail ender, it was good to see Jim Conbeare-Cross helming in Gannet for the first time.
19 - 20 June
Thanks to the F5 Northerly on Saturday the bulk of the Round the Island Race had already passed through by the time the four Redwings started their race at 16:35. Twice round Derrick and Under Tyne gave them about an hour a quarter's race with the first 3 boats enjoying a close race and Tom Scott in Siskin unable to catch up after taking a penalty for a port & starboard incident at the start. Matt Alexander in Harlequin emerged the winner finishing just under 30 seconds ahead of Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence with Michael MacInnes in Avocet a close third 9 seconds later. There were no One-Designs racing.
On Sunday, the RO reports "Thirty minutes before the publishnnn by ed start time the forecast wind at 322 degrees was well below its anticipated F3 value. It veered to 003 degrees ten minutes before 14:40 hrs and remained a steady zephyr for the start sequence to launch the fleet at E for the first beat to Ruthven. Preparations were in hand at the gun to shorten the course at the windward mark or abandon if the anticipated wind in the offing failed. There were no BODs racing and, of the Redwings, five eventually cleared the line with Robin Ebsworth winning the start and Tom Scott crossing six minutes late with Mat Alexander in his wake. Within 5 minutes the wind veered forty degrees and increased to F2, turning the beat into a fetch and then a reach. Tom steered the right side of the course into the freshing breeze and made up much of his deficit by the mark. With the wind continuing to go right, a course change to Drumhead and Fitz became essential; alas Drumhead proved to be absent on the course and the contenders collectively selected to round a red buoy in the vicinity to turn onto the finishing leg. The fleet split on opposite tacks on rounding, Tom Scott taking the left side with Robin and Mat and opposing Mike MacInnes and Mark Andrae on the right. Tom anticipated the wind would continue to go right and build to 8 knots. Siskin picked up the lift mid-leg without tacking to finish a clear winner from Mike. Robin covered Mat, the previous day's winner, engaging in a tacking duel, with Robin succeeding in preventing Mat breaking through, with Mark looking for his opportunity and finishing well.
11 - 12 June
With no takers among the Redwings for the Nicholson Trophy racing at Portsmouth, five boats enjoyed some informal Bembridge racing in a perfect NW F3 breeze on Saturday, with the initial course set as K,E three times. Matt Alexander and John Raymond in Harlequin just managed to round the windward mark ahead of Caroline Peel in Redstart II and Serena Gosling and family in Gosling, with Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence and Richard Jessel (his first race on the helm this season) in Plover close behind – a windward mark pile-up carefully (and narrowly!) avoided as two port tack boats found the room to tack close to the mark. On the second beat the Goslings played the shifts well to get ahead of Caroline. The course of KE x 3 was shortened at the second leeward mark – Matt Alexander in Harlequin narrowly beating Serena Gosling in Gosling to the line, with Caroline Peel in Redstart II third.
Five One-Designs meanwhile had gone over to Portsmouth for the Westmacott Regatta – now in its second year. As the wind was a brisk northerly force 4 the passage race was a beat over the Spithead, achieved in under an hour and won by Jos Coad in No 8, followed by Rob Mathieson in 1 & Charles Evans in 10. On their arrival, the organisers gave them a short race (to ensure they finished at the same time as the other classes racing who had set off earlier). Mark Grz in 9 came in ahead of Charles Evans in 10 & Rob Mathieson in 1. In the second race Roy Burrows, now helming No 9, won ahead of Charles Evans & Rob Mathieson as in race 1. In the 3rd race, Tom Scott in No 12 judged the change in the tides right and came in well ahead of Mark Grz in 9 and Rob Mathieson – again in 3rd place.
The boats moored up in the Haslar marina as last year and a most enjoyable evening was held at the Royal Naval & Albert Yacht Club. Martin Humphray very kindly came over in his RIB and ran us back to Bembridge despite pitch darkness as there was no moon at all. The next morning Sue Langford ran us back to Portsmouth in her RIB. Once in the boats and out of the harbour, the wind dropped to very light and fluking all over the place such that the regatta organisers were unable to set a course. It was decided therefore that it was best to set sail immediately for Bembridge, hopefully to cross the Spithead before the tide started to run strongly up to Cowes. Despite being in the doldrums on several occasions we picked up a lovely southerly breeze (force 3) off Seaview and positively romped back to Bembridge arriving in time for a late lunch. Our thanks go to Rod for coming out to check on our progress and ensure we all got back in one piece when the absence of wind was making this look decidedly uncertain. Although in the event only No 10 needed a tug, it was reassuring to know he was close by.
Despite the lack of wind on Sunday all participants really enjoyed their week-end and are up for a repeat next year. Congratulations go to No 9 who were placed 5th overall out of all the classes participating – a major achievement given the lack of local knowledge of the tide flows off Portsmouth.
The breeze held - well sort of - for the four Redwings who enjoyed a another glorious Solent afternoon – Harlequin and Gosling from Saturday’s racing were joined by Carina and Peter Grimaldi in Redwing and Mike MacInnes in Avocet. The race officer team of Philip Bown and David Bottom had their work cut out as the S-SW breeze shifted back and forth by 30 degrees or more. After resetting the initial line the course was set as E,K twice, later altered to include a final round of P,E. All four boats took off from the start without a backward glance – each one assuming that the OCS sound signal and flag were not intended for them! The windshifts persisted after the start, making for challenging and exciting racing. While the Goslings were pinned to the left of the first beat by Matt Alexander, Carina Grimaldi took advantage of the headers to work up to the starboard layline, leading the fleet around the windward mark and for the first downwind leg. One of the afternoon’s sudden shifts left Harlequin and Gosling (having just worked ahead of Carina and Mike) struggling to fetch the second windward mark at the approach and again Carina Grimaldi, followed by Mike MacInnes, took the lead having sailed above the layline to the mark and left enough room for the header. However Harlequin and Gosling took the inside of the gybe downwind and worked ahead at the leeward mark – after an interesting final beat the finishing order was Matt Alexander in Harlequin, Serena Gosling in Gosling and Carina Grimaldi in Redwing. Mike MacInnes was the OCS boat having crossed the finish line second!
Many thanks are due to Fraser Morrison for the weekend’s prize of a bottle of (cold!) pink champagne enjoyed by the race officers and crews on the balcony after racing. A pity that more Redwings were not out to enjoy the perfect conditions.
5 - 6 June
Light and variable breezes and early/late tides, so not many racing over the weekend. On Saturday there were four Redwings - Caroline Peel in Redstart II finished with just over a two minute lead over Meri Benham in Paroquet. Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence was close on Meri's heels and Nick Wakefild in Bizarre was a couple of minutes later. There were only two One-Designs; Donald Biddle in No 5 finishing convincingly ahead of Roy Burrows in No 9.
On Sunday, there were only three Redwings. Robin Ebsworth lead from the start and was a long way ahead of Nick Wakefield in Bizarre and Caroline Peel in Redstart II by the finish. There were no One-Designs out.
29 - 31 May - Gunston Trophy & Lowry Corry Trophy
On Saturday the Club Coach - Matt Grier - ran an excellent rules clinic that concentrated on starting rules and offrered tips for getting away to a flier! He then videoed each of the starts of the 3 short races that were held in the afternoon in a SW force 5. Serena Gosling in Gosling won all three of the short races pretty convincingly. Michael MacInnes in Avocet had two seconds and a fourth, Robin Ebsowrorth in Quintessence a second and two thirds, and Mat Alexander & John Raymond in Halequin two fourths & a third. In the One Designs John Harbord Hamond was most convincing with two wins and a third with Peter Summerhayes winning the only raced he helmed. Of the others, Robin Joy and Charles Evans did well over all three races. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all. Watching the video evidence of their starts in the Clubhouse after coming ashore was certainly an illuminating experience! Our thanks go to Matt for the excellent job he made of the clinic and the filming.
On Sunday a stiff WSW breeze rose to force 5 gusting 6. Eight Redwings & nine One-Designs had a lovely sail. Robin Ebsowrth in Quintessence took the Redwing fleet on an interesting course and took the winning hooter; Matt Alexander in Halequin was second & Peter Grimaldi in Redwing was third. The One-Designs had a slightly different course that started at Fitzwilliam and went to Nainby, Fitz, Nainby, Tara, finishing at E. The order changed down the fleet throughout the race, ending with John Harbord Hamond in No 4 being beaten on the finish line by Tom Scott in No 12 by literally millimetres! They were followed home after a wonderful sail by John Deacon in 6, Jos Coad in 3, Susie Beart in 5, James Row in 8, Norman Marshall in 7, Tim Bonham in 2 and Charles Evans in 10.
On Monday there were seven Redwings & nine One-Designs. All looked set for a really nice race, however the wind died just after the One-Design start at Tara and after a frustrating drift towards Fitzwilliam Rod and Charlie kindly towed all 9 into the harbour before they drifted to the Nab! Meanwhile Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence had kedged tantilising close to the Redwings first mark (Ruthven) so the Race Officer decided to shorten course at R rather than abandon. In the event a light southerly helped the back markers make up a bit on the leaders and everyone finished. Robin was the worthy winner with Matt Alexander in Harlequin second, and Peter Grimaldi in Redwing sailing single handed coming third.
Congratulations to Robin Ebsworth who won the Gunston Trophy & to John Harbord Hamond who won the Lowry Corry Cup very convincingly.
22 - 23 May
Difficult tides with boats having to be pre-moored Under Tyne, so in the event not many takers on what was probably the nicest weekend of the year so far - sunshine wise anyway. Robin Joy set a tight course on Saturday as fog was forecast. In the event it stayed away to allow the 3 Redwings and 2 One-Designs to have a reasonable race. Hugo Peel in Redwing emerged the winner ahead of Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence and Nick Fairfax in Fly Catcher. In the One-Designs meanwhile, Anna Row in No 8 beat William Bland in No 12 by a healthy margin.
Sunday began with minimal breeze however it picked up for the final beat from Nainby to Under Tyne. Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence led throughout after Peter Grimaldi in Redwing found himself swept over the line by the tide at the start. However, he did manage to close the gap by the finish to about 40 seconds. In the One-Designs, Tony Spalding in No 12, crewed by Tom Scott did all the right things and came in about 4 minutes ahead of Donald Biddle in No 5 with James Row not far behind in No 8.
15 - 16 May
Very mixed conditions over the weekend; Saturday was variable to say the least, Sunday was grey & overcast but at least had a stronger F4 south westerly blowing. Four Redwings started on Saturday but only two finished in the frustrating conditions. Michael MacInnes in Avocet worked up a long lead but one has to take ones hat off to Matt Alexander in Harlquin who stuck with it to finish just over 30 minutes behind the leader. There were seven One-Designs out; unfortunately 2 boats mistook Nainby (rather than the laid inflatable) for the outer distant mark; Charles Evans in No 10 spotted his error and returned, however alas Donald Biddle in No 5 did not so had to be scored OCS. At the front it was Anna Row in No 8, followed by Rob Mathieson in No 1 & Mark Grz in No 9. James Palmer in No 3 was fourth and Charles Evans in No 10 was 5th. No 12 did not finish.
Sunday had reduced numbers; some were walking the Wight in support of the Hospice, others were in the Mnagement Committee. Michael MacInnes in Avocet came in about a minute ahead of Peter Grimaldi in Redwing. In the One-Designs, Andrew Palmer enjoyed a rare victory in No 3 finishing just under a minute ahead of John Deacon in No 6 with James Row in No 8 & Rob Mathieson in No 1 very close behind. All in all, a grey day closely fought.
8 - 9 May - no racing early/late tides.
1 - 3 May
A very mixed bag on the weather front over the weekend. Saturday had a very pleasant Westerly Force 3 breeze, Sunday was wet & windy (NE 5-6), and Monday was sunny periods with a cold Northly Force 4-5 breeze.
Eight Redwings enjoyed a lovely first sail of the season on Saturday. With the start line using an inflatable some 200m NE of Garland in order to keep clear of Brading Haven, the course of Pepe, to Ruthven twice round with the finish at Pepe proved to be ideal, with split fleets on all three beats. Joe Roberston in No 24, Red Gauntlet, lead almost from the start and having gone inshore was first round Pepe. About half way to Ruthven Mike MacInnes in Avocet had to retire when their main halyard shackle broke and the main sail dropped down. Matt Alexander in Harlequin and Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence were in close contention for most of the race and were only 20 seconds apart after an hour and a half's racing. Nine One-Designs meanwhile also had an excellent race albeit over a slightly shorter course with Patch as the leeward mark. Mark Grzegorczyk in No 9 had a good start and lead for the majority of the race. Although never quite faster enough to overtake the leader, it was excellent to see D Orange back at the helm of No 11 coming in second only a mere 15 seconds behind Mark. Rob Mathieson was 3rd.
The weather turned as predicted on Saturday evening with the result that after considerable "discussion" under the awnings, it was eventually decided to remain on the moorings for Sunday in the hopes that the cold NE Force 6 wind would drop as predicted to allow 2 races on Monday. Definitely a wise decision, it was pretty horrible!
Although not by a lot, the wind had dropped sufficiently by lunchtime Monday to entice six Redwings and three One-Designs out with a promise of two races. In the event it was still quite breezy and definitely 3 up weather for the Redwings. Despite being pushed hard by Serena Golsing in Gosling, Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II managed to come in ahead on both races; Matt Alexander was 3rd in the first race and Robin Ebsworth was 3rd in the second one. Unfortunately due to an oversight, Joe had not signed his annual entry form until after the race on Saturday so had to be scored DNS which meant that Matt took the Quail Trophy with Serena second and Robin third (on count back). The One-Designs meanwhile dropped to 2 boats at the start when James Row suffered some gear failure and returned to the harbour. It was a close race between Mark Grz in No 9 and Brian Orange in No 11, however the former came in ahead and as he had also won on Saturday (and thus the Woodroofe Bowl) it was decided to call it a day and head back in.
17 - 18 April
Lovely sunny weekend albeit slightly short of wind. On Saturday BODA had 4 boats on the water including the race officer who participated in the race in lovely sunshine and 6 knot easterly breeze. A course of N to T twice round was perfect and took 1 hr 45 minutes for the leading boat to complete, with a long beat up the shoreline to Tara and slow run back to Nainby on the tide. Donald Biddle (in 5) was first at the first mark and never relinquished his lead, finishing ahead of Jos Coad (8), Robin Joy (10) with Norman Marshall (7). The starting procedure was Jos Coad – race officer – tacking from N towards the shoreline on port with the other boats passing under his stern on starboard – which worked very well.
On Sunday David Bottom was race officer for both BODA and the Illusions; there were two BODA starters, Donald Biddle in 5 who came in ahead of Norman Marshall in 7.
Nineteen Illusion sailors turned up for the last weekend's sailing of 2009/2010 season. On Saturday the sailing was for St Georges Day Trophy and on Sunday the Woodford Long Distance Race Trophy.
It was for the first time this season it was not necessary to wear multiple layers of thermal clothing and dry suits, a few people even sailed with short sleeves and shorts! Great shame then that the season is over until October as Bembridge Harbour will start to fill up with fair weather sailors.
Having had over 38 race days this season with 3 races a day all sailors have been able to hone their sailing skills. In Saturdays shifting East, South Easterly winds it was difficult for race officer David Bottom to set a square course but with the help of some sailors Race 1 got off to a fine start. Normally sailing at the back end of the fleet it was Robin Ebsworth who for two legs lead the field but Bruce Huber, Graham Bailey and Rudy Jurg had a little more boat speed and would finish in front of him. Lady sailor Kass Schmidt booked her best result this season in a large fleet with an 8th place.
In Race 2 it was a pin end bias with lots of boats at that end and Bruce Huber was called over the line. In the shifting conditions Rudy Jurg un-buried himself from a bad start to lead all the way round although only finished half a boat length in front of Justin Biddle. Piers Thomas who had a mixed set of results over the weekend scored a 3rd place.
In Race 3 the start was again chaotic due to people underestimating the slow speed at which an Illusion tacks. Bruce Huber however nailed it and shot off to finish 1st. In second place was Barnaby Edwards who in the earlier races scored a 16th and 13th place now held his nerve to finish 2nd.
In the last race of the day (as it is a one day trophy he managed to get four races in so that a discard came into play) there could have been 3 possible winners of the Trophy, Bruce Huber, Rudy Jurg and Graham Bailey. However all 3 started badly and sailing mid fleet and in front of them they had Justin Biddle, Mark Downer and Rupert Holmes but in the shifting conditions there was lots of place changing. Philip Bown lead for most of the race and won but in one beat Bruce Huber, Rudy Jurg and Graham Bailey jumped to the front to the astonishment of others. In the end it was Bruce Huber who took the St Georges Trophy home followed by Rudy Jurg and Graham Bailey. Top lady was Jo Downer.
On Sunday 9 Illusions would race ‘offshore’ for the Woodford Long Distance Trophy. Conditions were again beautiful with a Force 2 South-easterly breeze. One long course would be sailed around a variety of marks which included St Helens Fort. Graham Bailey lead from the start and tacked of early towards the shore for less tide however he over stood the mark letting Rudy Jurg and Rupert Holmes in. For a while it looked like Rudy had a commanding lead but upwind could not hold his height against Rupert Holmes who took home the trophy followed by Rudy and Graham. Philip Woodford came in 4th after battling with William Daniels for most of the race.
That’s it for the 2009/2010 Bembridge Illusion fleet which has now grown to almost 40 boats with average turnout of 18 boats over the season, considering this winter’s weather that’s remarkable. The season will start again 9th October 2010 which promises an exciting season with more race days, sailors and trophies.
10 - 11 April
Early tides and almost the end of the season, so numbers were well down on recent weekends, however those that did manage to make it, had some interesting racing. Saturday started in bright sunshine with an almost flat calm and although a pleasant breeze did eventually kick in, the ebbing tide meant that it was only possible to fit in two races. Indeed, Vernon Stratton had to retire in towards the end of the second one having gone aground!
Sunday was somewhat colder with a stronger ENE Force 3-4 breeze that ruled out any thoughts of racing outside the harbour. Raymond Simonds, having had a first & a second on Saturday, consolidated his position with two firsts & a second to win overall. Although he retired in Sunday's first race, Rupert Holmes sailed well and picked up the other two firsts, along with a second & a third to come in second place overall. Despite not doing so well in the last two races on Sunday, Philip Woodford finished in third place overall.
3 - 5 April - BOD Oppenheim Trophy & Illusion Vernon's Easter Cup
Eleven enthusiastic BODA sailors appeared at the Club on Good Friday with a south-westerly force 7 blowing, hopeful of a race but fearing that this level of wind would be too much. However Mike Sam told us that Bramblemet was reporting the wind was down to force 4 so the race was on. Fortunately the wind did indeed drop to 4-5 albeit with most boats going 3 up they were reduced to 4 starters. Jos Coad in No 8 got away from the fleet at the start so had a healthy lead at the first mark. Despite this being steadily whittled down by Mark Grz in No 9 during the rest of the race, No 8 came in first, with No 9 in second, John Deacon in No 6 third & William Bland fourth in No 12.
The wind was veering between south west to south east with a heavy sea from the east on Saturday. The 8 starters all made Cochrane - with the wind dying as they got there; in heavy & very cold rain, the tide ran them back to Nainby at which point the wind had returned. However it dropped again as the boats reached Under-Tyne (E) and the lead changed hands 3 times in the 20 yards up to the mark. When the wind returned, from the south, the leading boats rounded the mark only to see the lead change 4 times (!) on the final fetch to the finish at Pepe. Roy Burrows in No 11 came in ahead of Jos Coad in No 3, Peter Harvey in No 8, Robin Joy in No 10, Mark Grz in No 2, the others following behind.
On Sunday there were 5 starters with a force 4-5 coming from the NNW. With a course of E to Pepe three times round, finishing at Pepe, all starters bar James Row in No 8 took an inshore course which enabled No 8 to open a 400 yard lead at the first mark (Pepe). As on Friday the others managed to cut back the lead over the 3 rounds but not by enough to stop No 8 coming in first, followed by Mark Grz in No 9, Roy Burrows in No 11, William Bland in No 12 & John Deacon in No 6.
On Monday there were 6 boats with Xander Shaw in No 6 leading home from James Row in No 8, Mark Grz in No 11, Roy Burrows in No 9, Charles Evans in No 10 and William Bland in No 12. Despite the cold and the rain on Saturday and strong winds generally it was a most enjoyable week-end's sailing. Congratulations go to No 8 - James Row, Jos Coad & Peter Harvey - who won the Oppenheim Trophy.
Having had enough of eating chocolate Easter eggs and family duties, 26 sailors made it to the start line of Vernon's Easter Cup on Saturday & Sunday - one of the highest participation weekends in the Illusion season.
In a SSE wind force 2-3, overcast and fickle breeze, the RO - Charles Evans - helped by the sailors who wanted the course to be perfect, set a good course out across the harbour. With such fickle winds it was difficult to choose a side and the top sailors could be found all over the line. In Race 1 Rudy Jurg picked the pin end which proved to be a winning a decision as he lead all the way round. Mark Downer was a close 2nd, having had a terrible start and laying nearly last for the first round. In Race 2 the start was favoured towards to committee boat end and those starting at the pin end lost out and it was difficult to come back. This time it was Colin Simonds (one of three of Simonds family sailing on Saturday) who took the gun followed by the steadily improving Philip Bown and Jockey Wilson. Race 3 started in lots rain and fast moving clouds which produced some very interesting wind shifts and although all the familiar names were out in front it gave everybody a chance to make some big gains. Of the lady sailors it was however Sue Thomas who held her nerve and sailed a superb race to finish 2nd just behind her husband Piers.
On Sunday a few people felt a little worse for wear having over indulged on chocolates and liquor but the sun was out with a WNW wind 3-4 that made for possibly one of the best days on the water this season. Mark Downer showed his sailing skills and sailed to an easy win but a bit further down there was plenty of place changing between Jockey Wilson taking 2nd and Piers Thomas 3rd. Ed Peel, who improved over the weekend sailed into 4th place. After tune up help from one of his fellow sailors Andrew Christie came in a respectable 7th place to his great delight as he is normally seen further down the fleet. Sue Thomas looked good but was nearly knocked out of the race on rounding the top mark by a sailor (no names!) who infringed on port starboard and three boat length rule. She recovered a little a finished 9th.
In Race 5 it was Ed Peel who made a clean start and took a convincing lead and despite the shifty conditions he held on to finish first. There was a big battle for the remaining top places between Mark Downer, Rudy Jurg, Ed Peel and Piers Thomas. Lots of place changing right up to the finish line but top lady Sue Thomas took 2nd having recovered from the shock of collision in the first race of the day. Jo Downer was also regularly in there but alas her mark roundings were not as slick as the others and she lost a few places.
In the final race of the day the wind picked up and Mark Downer and Piers Thomas were well out in front. Rudy Jurg and Jockey Wilson worked hard to play catch up hoping for a break. It looked an impossible task as the leaders were at least 200m in front but a major wind shift on the penultimate beat brought Jockey Wilson and Rudy to the front. They carried these positions to finish with Piers Thomas in 3rd and Mark in 4th place.
A sign of the closeness of racing was shown by the fact that there was a different race winner for each race and 3 boats finished on 16 points.
1st - Mark Downer
2nd - Jockey Wilson
3rd - Rudy Jurg
4th - Piers Thomas
5th - Edmund Peel
6th - Sue Thomas
27 - 28 Mar - Bailey Bowl
The weekend presented 15 Illusion helms with tricky conditions in light and shifty winds. Saturday dawned with a glassy calm, but after a postponement racing got underway in a fickle south-easterly that rarely exceeded five knots.
Starting nearest the pin, Rupert Holmes led off the start and, despite challenges from Mark Downer, Richard Ambler and Graham Bailey, held the lead until near the end of the slow third lap. This turned out to be one of the longest-ever Illusion races, causing Bailey to start planning a watch system. This clearly boosted crew morale and he took a decisive lead in the closing stages of the race. A big shift at the bottom mark for Richard Ambler enabled him to keep his spinnaker flying as he rounded, and he held it to the finish.
Sunday produced more wind – a south-south westerly of 5-8 knots – but with 30 degree shifts scattering snakes and ladders throughout the course. Rupert Holmes was again first off in the first race, but was chased hard by Bruce Huber and Bailey, who passed him on the second lap to take first and second places respectively.
Huber and Bailey repeated their finishing order in the next two races, where they were joined on the podium by Rudy Jurg. Many thanks to race officers Tony Splading, James Row and Hugh Eddowes. Next weekend will see racing for Vernon’s Easter Cup.
Overall results:
1 Bruce Huber (3 points)
2 Graham Bailey (5 points)
3 Rupert Holmes (9 points)
4 Rudy Jurg (11 points)
5 Philip Bown (16 points)
20 - 21 Mar - Picnic Hamper
This weekend's overall prize was a picnic hamper filled with some excellent food and liquid! Fourteen Illusion sailors came out to race for it which considering the weather conditions on Saturday, South Westerly winds, continuous drizzle and cold temperature was remarkable. Once the committee boat with Brian Orange as PRO finally found some ground to hold anchor the race got of with a bang with Mark Downer taking an immediate lead which he would not give up and bagged the first race. He was followed by now familiar names, Bruce Huber and Raymond Simonds. The latter has been putting extra training in with his brother Colin Simonds plus investment in new sails and this seems to be paying off. Philip Bown came in fourth and is another sailor who has been making steady progress through the fleet.
In Race 2 it was Raymond Simonds who got a clean start was able to get more height out of his boat than anybody else forcing many to sail in his lea or to tack off. He came home first followed by Mark Downer and Bruce Huber. A bit further back in the fleet this weekend's only girl sailors Kass Schmidt and Laura Gosling seemed swapped places a few times but it was Serena who seemed to have the upper hand in most races.
In Race 3 the wind picked up again, this time Rudy Jurg and Mark Downer went for pin end which, coupled with some favourably wind shifts, saw them sailing in front. However Bruce sailed right from the back of the fleet after a start line incident to the front and took first place. Closely followed by Mark Downer and Raymond Simonds.
Sunday's conditions were the opposite of the previous day, sunshine, mild West, South Westerly winds Force 2-3. Perfect. Raymond Simonds set of again in Race 4 very fast and took first place. A delighted Philip Bown who had lead for most of the way came in second with Colin Simonds came in 3rd. The 45min practice early in the morning with his brother clearly paying off!
In Race 5 Mark Downer and Rudy Jurg stayed close together but the latter missed the spreader mark on first leg and had to go back round loosing 8 places in the process! However, a favourable breeze on the downwind leg brought him right back into the game to finish 3rd. In these light airs Bembridge Harbour is like a game of snakes and ladders and large gains and loses can be made although in general you will always see the same names in front. Visitor Blake Richter who last captained a Swan 57 was able to leave a few people behind him noting an Illusion handles very differently from the last boat he sailed.
Race 6 would be decider between Mark Downer and Raymond Simonds for the Picnic Hamper. However the rest of the fleet also wanted to look good in the overall standings and at the start there was a massive pile up and collisions when Philip Woodford and Nick Foden Pattison barged in around the back end of the committee boat. They would score OCS for this last race and those who had stayed clear took off. Colin Simonds lead the charge having also worked out the tricky wind shifts and scored his first place this season. Philip Bown who was also caught out in the start made some good tactical decisions and came in second followed by Raymond Simonds in third. Mark Downer together with a few others had a bad race and came in sixth. It was close for an overall win but Mark got it after the discount and took home the picnic hamper. A slightly disappointed Raymond Simonds came 2nd and his older brother Colin Simonds third. Rudy Jurg and Philip Bown shared 4th place.
13 - 14 Mar - Spring Plate
The North Easterly force 2 breeze with occasional sunny spells brought out 21 helms on Saturday. As ever, competition was very tough particularly as several people had invested in new sails and compasses to give them a little speed and tactical advantage! The class has recently added a few more sail makers and a wide variety of sail cloth and shapes can now be seen on the race course. Bembridge fleet class founder Vernon Stratton has taken full advantage of these developments and showed the way in race one to come out top at the first weather mark, closely followed by Phillip Woodford and Raymond Simonds. It was however the latter who took over the lead to the finish closely followed by Julia and Graham Bailey. Some of the well known names such as Mark Downer, Edmund Peel, Rudy Jurg and Bruce Huber struggled to find form and finished mid fleet.
Race officer Mike Samuelson had set a very long course and with the shifty winds big gains and losses were made; however Julia Bailey showed some ‘girl power’ and scored a very credible 3rd place. Only taking up Illusion sailing last year she is now a force to be reckoned with regularly beating her husband Graham on the water.
In the last race of the day it was Edmund Peel, who in a loaner boat, finally found form and having forced Bruce Huber to take a penalty at the end of the last run, scored a first place to his great delight. Philip Bown raced his own race, took little notice of the fleet going in opposite directions but it worked out well for him giving him a well deserved 2nd place.
Saturday’s racing was followed by a very lively Annual General Meeting for the Illusion Class in which amongst many topics there was a passionate debate about sails and sail cloth materials. Recently a few sail makers have developed all clear Mylar sails, a move that has divided the fleet and the class members took the wise decision to put further effort into evaluation of these sails prior to tightening up of the class rules. No doubt it will provide for further lengthy discussion on and off the water over the coming weeks.
On Sunday the race officer set the fleet off at 09:30 into the more lively Force 3-4 West-North-Westerly breeze. In these stronger wind conditions it was Mark Downer who thrived and took a commanding lead. Graham and Julia Bailey followed in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Raymond Simonds scored a 7th place leaving the competition still open for others to take the overall prize. However, in the second race of the day he returned to form and scored a first place again followed by Graham and Mark Downer. A bit further down the scoring board Colin Simonds worked out the winds and James Axtell sailing with one of the experimental sails showed they are fast. Rudy Jurg also made some sort of come back after Saturday's disasters.
In the last race it was close run thing between Raymond Simonds, Julia and Graham Bailey for the overall prize. Lots of place changing but Graham showed real tactical talent and came home first followed by Mark and Julia. Although Raymond and Graham finished on equal points it was Raymond Simonds who took home the Spring Plate on count back. His first overall win this year for a weekend regatta.
All in all a perfecr days. Boats were quickly packed away as many had to attend family duties for Mother’s Day!
1st Raymond Simonds
2nd Graham Bailey
3rd Julia Bailey
4th Mark Downer
5th Ed Peel
This coming weekend it’s the Illusion Picnic Hamper, a delightful prize of a hamper filled with food!
6 - 7 Mar - no racing, early/late tides.
27 - 28 Feb 10 - National Championships
Despite a horrendous weather forecast of severe winter storms, snow and rain for the weekend of the Illusion National Championship, 26 sailors still braved the elements and made it to the start-line. Luckily the ‘tropical’ Isle of Wight missed the worst of the weather although about 1” of rain overnight creating exceptionally high water in Bembridge Harbour. Between the clouds however occasionally rays of sunshine could be seen which was nice considering water temperature is around 3C and air around 5c!
Saturday's racing started a bit later than the programmed 09:00, as the early start was clearly a struggle for a few! The wind was from the South West, force 3-5 backing later to the South. Race office Mike Samuelson had set a very long line and course to avoid big pile ups at the start and top mark. However it was still crowded and plenty of pushing on the line which was to be expected with such a line up of top Solent sailors. Unfortunately in Race 1 Rudy Jurg and Graham Bailey got off to a bad start by both being over the line. Graham Sunderland, again showing off one of his latest newly designed sails, took the gun for first place followed by Justin Biddle and Mark Downer. Race 2 was quickly started and this time it was Julia Bailey who was over the line; Graham Sunderland quickly took the lead which he held on to throughout. It did not seem to matter which way you went up the beat, both right and left paid although big gains and losses were made if out of phase with the numerous shifts caused by clouds quickly passing overhead. Graham Bailey has mastered the skill of spotting shifts and followed the leader close on his heels. Third place went to Mark Downer who with exceptional boat speed seems to race through the fleet no matter where he started!
In Race 3 it was again Graham Sunderland who took the gun, followed by Graham Bailey but this time it was a delighted Raymond Simmonds who took 3rd place. As the weather forecast for Sunday was very bad with 60mph winds forecasted, the race officer wisely decided to run a fourth race so that we would get a series in should conditions on Sunday not allow racing. With an I Flag flying it was a clean start with nobody over the line; Rudy Jurg was delighted when he emerged as the leader at the weather mark by holding the fleet out to the left, but alas he lost it on the run. Philip Bown had his own tactics and breeze and powered to a second place with Graham Bailey just in front of him. With a One-design fleet such as the Illusions it’s the middle of the fleet were you can see some interesting interruptions of the 3 boat length rule and port starboard however in general the fleet was well behaved and people taking their turns when they infringed other sailors.
In the evening there was a Illusion Class Dinner which was attended by almost all sailors and BSC Class Captain Justin Biddle made a speech to thank the sailors, club and race officers for their efforts to make this event such a success.
On Sunday morning a few people looked worse for wear from the night before and there was a little apprehension on the dock side because of the weather forecast. However, it turned out to be a lovely day with West-North-Westerly winds ranging Force 4-5. A little damp at times but when sailing you do not notice these things! As 4 races had already been sailed on Saturday only 2 more had to be sailed on Sunday as far as the Championship's went. Mark Downer thrives in these strong conditions probably helped by his 6'8" stature and exceptional arm length to spread out the spinnaker on down wind legs. He won the first race of the day with a commanding lead. Graham Bailey came second and Graham Sunderland 3rd. Barnaby Edwards had a good day and finished 4th much to his own surprise, however, he sailed cleanly and was in phase with the wind.
Down it came to the last race to determine the top 3 places although plenty of battles were fought further down the rankings. Mark Downer and Rudy Jurg shot off again on the pin end, however the race officer had spotted them over the line probably not helped by being almost the only coloured boats in a white hulled fleet! They went off home early and after a very close race lead most of the way again by Barnaby Edwards, the two Grahams battled it out for the top place.
In the end it was Graham Sunderland who took the coveted half model of an Illusion home as the overall winner of the 2010 Illusion National Championship. Graham Bailey was 2nd and Mark Downer was 3rd.
The 4 ladies who raced this weekend have their own Trophy and Julia Bailey was the clear winner. As the class has a wide age range of sailors there is also a prize for the first over 65 and the first over 75. Philip Bown took the former, Philip Woodford, the latter. Finally, the Most Improved prize was awarded to Rudy Jurg despite being twice OCS and David Palmer took home the 1st visitors prize.
20 - 21 Feb 10 - no racing early/late tides. Saturday was a lovely calm sunny day, Sunday was wet and miserable!
13 - 14 Feb 10 - Valentine Trophy
A historic weekend in the sailing world was made in Valencia by BMW-Oracle winning the America’s Cup for the Golden Gate Yacht Club - an awesome show of technology and sailing talent. The battle between sailing talents in Bembridge Harbour was however no less! Eighteen of some the best Solent sailors braved freezing air and water temperatures for the Illusion Valentines Trophy. The wind was from a northerly direction blowing between 10-14 knots and whilst rigging up many sailors already complained of frozen hands and cold bodies.
After a short delay racing got underway, the pin was favoured and Graham Sunderland and Piers Thomas nailed it and finished in that order. The course was relatively short which produced interesting situations around the top mark with such an evenly matched fleet. Class Commodore Bruce Huber, who is normally in front of the fleet, had missed a few weekends racing and was among this middle group struggling to break-away - there is no substitute for practice on the water!!
Veteran Illusion sailor Philip Bown was consistent finishing 4th in first and second race, but lost it in the third race of the day. In the final race of the day Sue Thomas showed the boys perfect control of her 3rd place which she held all the way round in hot pursuit by Rudy Jurg and Graham Bailey. Well known marine author and professional sailor Graham Sunderland booked his 3rd first place on Saturday by being spot on in every start. Bruce Huber finally found some form in the last race and finished 2nd. Three races were over in an hour and 40 minutes, which considering the cold weather was not a bad thing as some people started developing early signs of hypothermia! Luckily the club house was warm and allowed people the thaw out and go through the post race analysis.
On Sunday and after many people had their romantic Valentines dinners and morning breakfasts it was all smiles on the dock side as the sun was out, moderate 4-8 breeze and less cold. Talk on the dock was about the big match in Valencia and if we would get back on time to watch it! Indeed some Illusionists added an Iphone or Blackberry to their inventory allowing people to keep abreast with developments in Valencia between races!
The race officer started on time, a short course which a favoured the pin end and pushed a few people over the line but Piers Thomas got it right at full speed and left over the horizon, this left Rudy Jurg, Graham Bailey and Graham Sunderland battling for the next few places and they opened a large gap between the rest of the fleet. However in the end it was Graham Sunderland who came second and Rudy Jurg 3rd very closely followed by Graham Bailey in 4th. For the second race the wind had shifted to the left so the marks were moved and the course lengthened. With the wind coming out of the North Westerly corner of the harbour it became very shifty and it was a game of snakes and ladders with lots of place changing. Raymond Simmonds went off on his own to the right of the course and build up a huge lead which won him the race. The battle behind him was fiercely fought and close but it was Jockey Wilson who came 2nd and Graham Sunderland 3rd. Further back Colin Simmonds (the brother of Raymond) finished 7th (again) and would also finish like that for the weekend overall, something he already predicted the previous day!
Before the last race it was clear that Graham Sunderland would take home the beautiful painting by Heather Kruk as the overall prize but there was still a battle between Graham Bailey, Rudy Jurg and Piers Thomas. Although Piers Thomas had a great start he lost a few places in the shifty conditions, Rudy Jurg too lost the plot on the first beat and had to fight back from mid fleet. After a close race with lots of place changing Graham Bailey finished 2nd and Rudy Jurg 3rd, this is also how they finished overall.
Everybody made it quickly back to the dock in the hope of seeing something of the Americas Cup, in the end that was much delayed and gave you ample time to put on a Sunday roast prior to this match started.
1st Graham Sunderland 6pts
2nd Graham Bailey 16pts
3rd Rudy Jurg 19pts
4th Piers Thomas 25pts
5th Bruce Huber 35pts
Next event is the Illusion Nationals, 27/28 February in which we will hopefully see 25+ boats.
6 - 7 Feb 10 - no racing, early/late tides.
30 - 31 Jan 10 - Match Racing
Bright sunshine, a gentle breeze, a well practised team of race officers & umpires, and of course 16 enthusiastic Illusionists made for an excellent weekends racing for the annual Match Racing Championships.
Fifty four starts on Saturday and a few less for Sunday's finals keeps everyone on their toes as they try to follow Mike Sam's masterfull schedule of races with hooters and whistles going off throughout each start and finish sequence. Each year the standard of racing seems to improve and this year was no exception. In the black group on Saturday, Ian Southworth (winner in 2008), Raymond Simonds and Rudi Jurg all finished with 5 wins to their credit, with last year's winner Graham Bailey and Ed Peel on 4 wins each. In the red group, Mark Downer & Graham Sunderland notched up 6 wins each, with Justin Biddle on 5 and Colin Simonds with 3. Unfortunately Ian was nursing a very sore shoulder so decided to withdraw from Sunday's finals which gave Ed Peel the opening he was hoping for.
Sunday's quarter finals had Raymond & Colin Simonds matched against each other, the two Grahams (Bailey & Sunderland), Justin Biddle and Rudi Jurg and Ed Peel and Mark Downer. After some close racing, Raymond, Graham Sunderland, Justin and Ed emerged as the hot four for the semi finals. In the first, Graham was just too consistent for Raymond and won 2-0. The other match however was much closer with one win each, however at the start of the third race Justin notched up three penalties during pre-start sequence and so had to retire. As he was not feeling very well, he headed home rather than wait the for third and fourth place sail off. Meanwhile in the plate semi finals, Graham Bailey had beaten Colin Simonds, and Mark Downer had managed to keep ahead of Rudi Jurg.
This left an interesting set of final races. However, despite Ed Peel' return to form on Sunday, Graham Sunderland was just too canny to let him get in front and control the races. That said, even though the result sheet shows that it was a 3-0 victory to Graham, it was certainly not a walk over; Graham's boat control, boat speed and match racing experience was just a delight to witness and showed Illusion racing at its best. In the plate final meanwhile, Mark Downer at last found enough boat speed to beat Graham Bailey 2-0 and as plate runners up, Rudi Jurg had a similar 2-0 win over Raymond Simonds.
Well done and thanks to the Race Officers lead by Jonathan Peel and Umpires lead by Barry Dyer. Another great weekend's sailing. There are a few photos on the BSC website. The final results were:
1st - Graham Sunderland
2nd - Ed Peel
3rd - Colin Simonds
4th - Justin Biddle
5th (& Plate winner) - Mark Downer
6th - Graham Bailey
7th - Rudi Jurg
8th - Raymond Simonds
Finally, well done to young Robert Owen who ran three fleet races just outside the harbour for those who had not made the cut along with a couple of others. His first time on his own, indeed his first time using Gander. James Axtell had two firsts and a second so was the clear winner.
23 - 24 Jan 10 - No racing early/late tides - pity it was actually quite nice for a change!
16 - 17 Jan 10 - Piers January Jacket
It's only 2 weekends ago since Illusions raced last in the sunshine however even the Isle of Wight experienced some unseasonal weather which brought the Island and much of the UK the a grinding halt last week. Luckily for the Illusion sailors preparing for this weekend Piers January Jacket Regatta the snow had melted. However, conditions on Saturday were certainly not optimal with cold SSW winds, overcast and a little rain. Nevertheless, eleven Illusion sailors came out for a close battle while most people would have voted to read the Saturday papers indoors!
In the first race, the windiest of the day, it was clear that the battle was going to close between Mark Downer, Graham Sunderland, Piers Thomas and Rudy Jurg. Mark and Rudy took off to take a considerable lead followed in 3rd place by Graham. The breeze was very shi
fty and in the second race Sue Thomas, the only lady braving the elements on Saturday, made the most of it and figured the best way round to finished first. Graham Sunderland proved that it was possible to re-thread a spinnaker sheet on the beat, and Raymond Simonds got a lesson from Rudy and Graham in the 3 boat length rule and gracefully retired!
In the final race of the day, Graham showed what he was made of after 2 bad starts in previous races and claimed first place followed by Mark and Piers. Andrew Christie who normally is hanging in there with the top guys could not find his usual form and together with Philip Woodford made up the back end. Bembridge Harbour is a game of snakes and ladders and if you are out of phase with one of the shifts it's invariably costly!
On Sunday the sun was out! Blue skies and WSW force 4 - incredible that we had snow only a few days ago! This fine weather brought twenty one sailors out and race officer Hugh Eddowes was able to lay the course using the full length of the harbour. Within the Illusion Class it's common to see the sailors dragging the race buoys around in the correct position to get the best course. Lots of debate whether to go left, right or middle pre-start but during the course of the day it became clear that no option was favoured; so the most important thing was looking around and checking the wind over the water.
In the first race Graham took off again with a new set of sails he made overnight hoping that he had finally found the winning shape. Unfortunately for some there was a bit of a scrap at the start and Raymond & Rudy had to fight back from nearly last to eventually 5th and 7th place respectively. The second race was the longest of the day with 3 windward beats; Piers Thomas showed the way closely followed by Graham and Raymond, however Rudy had a good shift and was laying 2nd for a while but lost the plot on the the beat to the finish and came 4th. Visitor David Palmer who is a winning Dragon sailor came 9th which he was especially pleased with.
In the last race everybody was fired up and with a very clean start it was difficult for those on the pin end to get across as everybody wanted to head up the left side of the course. However, at the top mark Graham Sunderland, Mark and Rudy had marked their territories and finish in that order. In the middle of the field former Finn sailor and Class Admiral Vernon Stratton, now in his early eighties, showed great consistency by finishing 12, 13 and 12 in field of 21 despite not flying a spinnaker. In certain conditions it undoubtedly pays to goose wing rather than getting tangled in lots of sheets and halyards associated trying to set a spinnaker. The Illusion fleet seems to attract lots of couples (Piers and Sue Thomas, Mark and Jo Downer) and Julia and Graham Bailey had a real battle between them, however it was Julia who would finish 1 point ahead of her husband in overall standing this weekend.
Certainly another fun weekend. The overall results were:
1st Graham Sunderland 9pts (win on countback)
2nd Mark Downer 9pts
3rd Piers Thomas 14pts
4th Rudy Jurg 19pts
5th Sue Thomas 27pts
9 - 10 Jan 10 - No racing, late tides - just as well it was bitter!
2 - 3 Jan 10 - Icebreaker
The frosty & icy conditions did not deter 26 hardy Illusion sailors racing for the Icebreaker Trophy over the weekend. An early start meant that most boats were iced up so the tool box of de-icer, hammer and screwdrivers had to come out again to get all moving parts to work; a few warm buckets of water did the rest although this did turn the boat park into an ice skating rink!! Most sailors become unrecognisable as they are dressed in multiple layers of warm kit, balaclavas, hats, skiing goggles and life jackets. A few people were also spotted with warm water flasks to warm their hands prior and during racing!
Although it was cold, the sun was out in blazing glory and a perfect 6-10 knot NW/W/SW breeze. Who needs the Caribbean in winter when you have Bembridge harbour with so many one design boats racing! And afterwards you can have drinks and food in one of the most beautiful Sailing Clubs too.
With so many boats on the line and the tricky wind conditions the battle for positions started early; both Rudy Jurg and Piers Thomas took off and built up a considerable lead in the first race, leaving some of the other bigger names struggling mid field. Well done in particular to visitor Stewart Reed who came in with a credible 5th place.
In the second race, Mark Downer managed to keep clear of the somewhat chaotic start and took top place. The battle mid field was fierce with inevitable calls for 'water at the mark' although the Illusion class is unique that it allows touching of marks which does lead too some people squeezing into spaces which are not there. Penalty turns had to be taken by a few!
With the I Flag being brought into play to get some discipline back into the start, Saturday's last race lead to an interesting pile up at the committee boat end of the line. This left Graham Sunderland and Justin Biddle and those further down the line with a clear advantage. Mind you, its not all over until the fat lady sings in Bembridge harbour with its shifty winds. Once boats had been retrieved it was up the the bar to enjoy warm food and to thaw out.
Sunday was the same ritual with boats having to be de-iced, however there was no warm sun and with the wind having gone round to the East and increased to 12-18 knots, racing was always going to be more challenging for most. That said, the first race still bought 22 starters to the line.
With the I Flag in use from the outset, Mark showed that he is the unbeaten king in heavy weather and took first place in all but last race. Piers Thomas was determined to get a top finish and showed excellent boat speed; Justin Biddle meanwhile was on a real come back from the previous day and put in a consistent performance to finish 4th in every race. Philip Woodford, who is in his late seventies showed, occasional brilliance after many years of sailing but the strong wind conditions and cold meant that he suffered as the race went on.
In the second race of the day, nearly the whole fleet headed for the beach by Attrill's Point where there was a lot of shouting for "water" and "starboard", indeed Justin Biddle and Graham Sunderland had an extended discussion about it on the water which lead to the first Illusion protest taken ashore for many a year. In the event, it was resolved by an arbitration panel and dismissed on the grounds of safety and avoiding a collision.
Visitor Stewart Reed summarised results of those at the back very nicely: "Nothing wrong with the boat - just the poor skipper/ helm/ trimmer/tactician who hadn't cracked the off wind art in 20kts (wind over tide) of trimming with both hands, helming with his feet, keeping his head lower than the boom, trying to avoid the other boats.....oh, and pumping at the same time!"
A brilliant weekend was had by all, congratulations go to Mark Downer who again took the overall prize. The next sailing weekend is 16-17 January for Piers Jacket Trophy.
1st Mark Downer 12 pts
2nd Piers Thomas 13 pts
3rd Justin Biddle 17 pts
4th Graham Sunderland 25 pts
5th Raymond Simonds 28 pts
26 - 27 Dec - No racing, early/late tides.
19 - 20 Dec - Christmas Cracker
The Illusion Christmas Cracker weekend got off to a very cold start with frozen furlers, lines and cleats, however as part of Illusion spares these avid sailors carry de-icers, screw drivers and buckets to carry warm water from the club to the boat and eventually 9 boats made it on the water. Unfortunately not a huge turnout as many people were stuck in the snow or had to go Christmas shopping and thereby missing a great weekend sailing. Rudy Jurg had even decorated his backstay with tinsel and Santa's socks for this occasion!
The race officer had set a course in corner of Bembridge Harbour which meant very shifty conditions and challenge for everybody. In first race Rudy took the gun with considerable lead, Piers second and his wife Sue 3rd. Mark had an altercation with his wife at the top mark and needed to take penalty turns. This kept him in the back the fleet for this race and he noted that battle for places is as hard fought in the tail end as it is in the front.
Race 2 and all boats started bang on the gun, Rudy and Piers taking a commanding lead followed in hot pursuit by Mark. Much place changing between the leaders but Piers showed the way. Race 3 and Sue Thomas had a brilliant start and showed the boys the way home and reminded them to sail by the rules after a few people tried to squeeze in non existent gaps at top mark! Mark Downer however took the gun, Sue second and Piers third. Philip Woodford scored his third 5th place of the day.
On Sunday we had similar weather, sunny but cold and after some de-icing exercises 9 boats made it again to the line. Very shifty with winds a top mark being different from bottom mark and committee boat, however an interesting course was set and there was some close racing, Mark, Rudy and Piers all wanting to take home the top prize. Race 1 and the leaders went all off to the left and places continuously changed, however on 3rd upwind beat both Rudy, who was in the lead and closely followed by Mark, thought they had finished, but no gun! The PRO had decided to send us around again but Piers had slipped through noting that there was no finishing flag, eventually Mark finished 2nd and Rudy third. Race 2 was uneventful, Mark took a commanding lead whilst Piers and Rudy tussled for 2nd place. In back of the fleet Robin Ebsworth, the Class Measurer, scored his second 8th place of the day after a very promising start! The last Regatta of year was won by Piers Thomas who was presented with the wonderful model of an Illusion that the builder kindly given to BSC earlier in the Year; 2nd place went to Mark Downer and in 3rd place was Rudy Jurg. Jo Downer took 4th place and Philip Woodford 5th.
In the clubhouse, Assistant Race Officer (15) Robert Owen, who has been assisting the Illusion fleet for 5 years, told the Illusion sailors that he had now passed all his race officers training and hoped to be taken on full duty when he turned 16 in mid-May. He was presented with a book on race tactics by a very grateful Illusion Class.
Next racing will be 2nd and 3rd January for the Icebreaker, first start on Saturday at 1030.
12 - 13 Dec - No racing, early tides - pity as it wasn't raining either!
5 - 6 Dec
Almost perfect conditions on Saturday for the annual Illusion Inter Club Team Racing; Sunday was brighter although somewhat breezier which made for some challenging racing.
Saturday saw each of the eight teams racing each other. Mark & Jo Downer, last year's winners reigned supreme and won all their races; BSC, represented this year by Bruce Huber & novice Xander Shaw came out second with six wins. Working out who filled the next three places required the excellent RO team lead by Jonathan Peel to count back race positions so as the split the Simonds brothers, Raymond & Colin, from SVYC, Ian Southworth with stand-in Joe Robertson for HRSC and Piers & Sue Thomas racing for TTSC (Team Thomas SC!) all who had finished with 4 wins. This left Graham & Julia Bailey, sailing for the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCdeM), Nick Wakefield & Alastair Speare-Cole representing EWCC and Andrew Christie & Richard Ambler sailing for Thames Sailing Club bringing up the also rans!
All the teams were eager to get started on Sunday; in the main semi-final it was RVYC v HRSC and BSC v SVYC; in the plate, TTSC v TSC and YCdeM v EWCC. All were best of three and conveniently but unusually all went to straight 2-0 wins . The best of five finals was therefore between Mark & Jo Downer and Bruce Huber & Xander Shaw. The first two races went to Mark & Jo, however Bruce & Xander clawed back the third in a very close finish. The fourth race started off with Xander a bit late across the start line and Bruce having to work hard to delay proceedings at the first windward mark to allow him to get through. Unfortunately Mark spotted the trap and successfully forced him to take a port & starboard penalty. Although Xander was in front, his boat handling skills in the gusty conditions were just not quite good enough to hold back the Downers who went on to an easy win to make it 3-1.
In the meantime, HRSC beat SVYC 2-0 to take 3rd & 4th places, YCdeM beat TTSC for 5th & 6th, and TSC beat EWCC for 7th & 8th.
A great weekend's sailing; many thanks to the Race Officer team on TRIO, and the four principal umpires Barry Dyer, Penny Carter, Jamie Clark, Jimbo Mitchell and their RIB their drivers.
28 - 29 Nov - No racing early tides which was just as well as it was horrible!
21 - 22 Nov
Bearing mind the forecast and the appalling weather elsewhere around the country, Saturday's conditions were not at all bad for 13 eager Illusionists. As the results showed, racing, certainly at the front, was very tight between Piers Thomas (1,3,1), Graham Sunderland (4,1,2) and Mark Downer (2,2,3). Sunday's start was delayed 20 minutes to allow a couple of squalls to pass through, however the forecast had already reduced the competition somewhat. Mark Downer was unbeatable in the blustery conditions and notched up three wins. Piers Thomas had a bit of a disaster in the second race when his boat started looking like a submarine; however he managed to sort things back out for the final race only to fill up again within the last few feet of the line so had to be content with two second places. Jo Downer meanwhile showed her usual determination and took three thirds.
1. Mark Downer (10 points)
2. Piers Thomas (24 points)
3. Jo Downer (26 points)
4. Sue Thomas (27 points)
14 - 15 Nov
Despite the early start and a gale warning in force, there were a keen group of Illusionists eager to race early on Saturday morning! Fortunately they eventually decided that discretion was the better part of valour and racing was cancelled by the very relieved race officers. Thirteen boats took to the water on Sunday and enjoyed three nice races with the top four all pretty close - well done to Piers Thomas who was the overall winner (bearing in mind no discard) with two seconds & a first
1. Piers Thomas (5 points)
2. Mark Downer (6 points)
3. Graham Bailey (9 points)
4. Rudy Jurg (11 points)
7 - 8 Nov
- Guy Fawkes TrophyThere was an excellent turn out on Saturday (24 boats) in sunny conditions with a pleasant South Westerly breeze; albeit, perhaps not surprisingly rather fewer on Sunday (18) in the stronger and damper North Easterly. The first two races on Saturday were convincing wins by Graham Sunderland using his "go faster" clear laminate sails. Although not noticeably faster downwind, he was certainly quicker going upwind. A poor start in race three gave others a chance and allowed Bruce Huber to notch up a win just ahead of Mark Downer & Rudy Jurg. Lower down the fleet the racing was as keen as ever with numerous place changes on every leg of the course. Even the back markers had fun as they strove to do move up the placings.
Sunday's stronger winds saw Graham's new sails exchanged for a more conventional set and Mark Downer show that he is the one to beat when its blowing. Mark took the first two races but had to be content with a second in the last race finishing just behind Graham. In the middle of the fleet, competition was as keen as ever with no room for mistakes. At the back meanwhile although there was an element of survival sailing, it was great to see even the end few working hard to master the difficult conditions.
Overall results:
1. Graham Sunderland (7 points)
2. Mark Downer (8 points)
3. Bruce Huber (17 points - OCS Race 5!)
4. Rudy Jurg (22 points - OCS Race 5!)
5. Graham Bailey (22 points).
31 Oct - 1 Nov
Saturday was the last of the summer winds. Three races were held with sixteen Illusions on the starting line. Mark Downer lead the first race making an early statement at port end of the line and was soon in commanding lead with Rudi Jurg second with his new sails. Julia Bayley of Dragon fame came second to Mark in the next race and Andrew Christie sneeked through to get the gun whilst Rudi, Mark and Jo Downer had a private battle and threw away their chances of winning the final race.
Sunday looked as if it would be a wash out, but an hour's wait gave hope of some exciting racing for the heavy brigade brigade. Robin Ebsworth and Philip Bown the Vice Commodore volunteered for the rescue RIB. Race Officer's Tony Spalding & Rob Mathieson took a team of helpers in Trio and found a patch of smoother water making it possible to race in top end conditions for even hardened sailors. Six boats started with all except one crossing the line together. Most yachts would have been tied up in harbour but not them, they charged off with full sail and in control. Mark and Justin Biddle fought it out all the way. Justin scooped a wave at the leeward mark and let Mark through to cross the line on starboard just ahead. Justin awash squeezed across the line and had to head for the shore for a bail out. Bill Daniels wisely dropped his mainsail and headed for home. The last race was so tight that two boats were over the line at the start. Phil Woodford at 78 lead the charge with Mark over too. Jo Downer who was sailing higher than Mark in the heavy gusts took the winning gun with Rudi second.
There was plenty to talk about in the bar afterwards!! Next weekend is the Guy Fawkes Trophy Nov 7/8
Results
1. Mark Downer BSC
2. Jo Downer BSC
3. Rudi Jurg RCYC
4. Andrew Christie SVYC
17 - 18 Oct - Trafalgar Trophy
Alas no report, however only 4 races (3 on Saturday & 1 on Sunday) due to a lack of wind. Eighteen boats out over the weekend. Top three had equal points (7) so it must have been close!
1. Mark Downer
2. Rudy Jurg
3. Piers Thomas
4. Bruce Huber
10 - 11 Oct - No racing due to late tides
3 - 4 Oct
With the harbour still rather full of moored boats it was tempting to go outside on Saturday, but the RO team of Philip Bown, James Row & Robert Owen thought better of it as it was quite windy gusting 5 or 6, and only a few new season buoyancy tests done! In the event a small area near the houseboats up to a windward mark at Bembridge Outboards served well for the first set of races of the new Illusion season. Rudi Jurg won all three race initially with seven starters on Saturday, all by some margin, Alastair Speare-Cole having looked likely to pip him in the second race till his spinnaker and jib were in conflict at the leeward mark.
The wind was lighter on Sunday and expecting a larger fleet than actually appeared (24 boats on the quay already) a longer course was laid along Silver beach. From eight eventual starters Phil Woodford was delighted to just beat Rudi in the first, Andrew Christie won the second and William Daniels who had only just appeared sailed away from the fleet in the third. Rudi doubtless won the weekend with two seconds and a third to follow his three firsts on the day before.
Three of the six boats float tested on Saturday sank, though Rudi's which went down big time on Saturday mysteriously floated flawlessly when retested on Sunday, bung left out first time?!!
26 - 27 Sep
Although no Redwings took to the water for the last weekend of the "summer" season's racing, there was an excellent turnout of One-Designs particularly on Saturday. Initially with little or no wind in prospect, the Race Officer, George Greenwood, was all for drawing stumps, however he was persuaded by Jos Coad to give it a try. Indeed by the time they started there was a gentle southerly breeze which allowed three nice beats from Fitzwilliam to Tara for the fleet of nine One-Designs.
The result sheet reveal the following finishing order: No 12, No 2 (Tim Bonham), No 5, No 9, No 8 (James Row), No 1, No 6 (John Deacon), No 11 & No 7.
Far fewer ventured forth on Sunday and those that did had, much to the bemusement of Roy Burrows who was the Race Officer, to contend with the 2 to 7 knot breeze going round in circles. The results sheet reveals that Jos Coad in No 5 beat James Row in No 8, with John Deacon in No 6 coming in ahead of Peter Truman in No 9.
19 - 20 Sep
After almost 2 weeks of strongish NE breezes, the wind dropped and the few boats that did decide to race had to struggle a bit in the light airs. On Saturday, there was a dual in the Redwings between Rosie Gosling in Gosling and Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence. The finish timings show that Gosling was well out in front at the finish. A 2nd race was offered but it was decided that lunch took priority! On Sunday, Henny Chetwood took Ladybird out but she had to make do with following Gosling wake for the whole of the race that was shortened due to the light and variable conditions.
There were only two One-Designs out on Saturday. James Row in No 1 was well ahead of Anna in No 8 after the first round so the Race Officer wisely stopped them. Having changed boats, a second race was started but had to be abandoned when the breeze dropped off.
12 - 13 Sep
It was great to see so many old friends from MOCRA around the Club over the weekend. Some great multihull racing weather albeit all day out on TRIO in the NE'erly popple was not for faint hearted race officers! Course setting is never quite as simple as it would seem due to the significant variation in boat speeds - particularly with Buzz, the Seacart 30 of Phil Cotton, always well out in front - however, everyone enjoyed the course variation of the 3 races on Saturday. On corrected time, Buzz came out with two 1sts and a 2nd, Brian Haynes in his F31R Carbon Tiger II won the shorter 2nd race and so had a 1st and two 2nds, and Simon Baker - who had sailed his Dazcat D1150 Drama Queen all the way up from Cornwall, had three 3rds.
There was only the one longer race on Sunday, so with the NE breeze holding at around the top end of Force 4, the course took them over to the Winner, followed by Nab Tower and then a short final couple of legs from Under Tyne to Ruthven and back. Buzz finished in 1 hour, 29 minutes, Carbon Tiger II was 15 minutes behind and the last boat crossed the finish line an hour later. On corrected time though, the winner was Drama Queen who had had a excellent first leg following their port tack start; 2nd place went to Buzz and 3rd place to Carbon Tiger II. With a one race discard, this kept Buzz as the Regatta winner one point ahead of Carbon Tiger II, with Drama Queen a clear 3rd.
MOCRA Bembridge Regatta Photos
With TRIO being used for the multihulls, Hugo Peel's new Dragonfly made an excellent Committee Boat for the keelboats. Only two Redwings ventured out on Saturday, and Colin Samuelson in Toucan was the easy winner after Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore in Capercaille retired having realised that he was not going very fast due to an excess of weed! In the meantime, the eight One-Designs had a slightly uncomfortable race in the chop as the breeze eased off. D Orange in No 11 held off James Bullin in No 5 for a close finish with the remainder all finishing close together within 3 minutes of the lead boat.
No Redwings on Sunday and only four One-Designs braved the heavy lop & underlying swell. D Orange was the easy winner ahead of James Row in No 8 by about two and a half minutes; Charlie Harcourt-Smith was third and Rob Mathieson fourth.
5 - 6 Sep
A quiet weekend's racing water with no One-Designs on either day. However, there were 4 Redwings on Saturday reducing to 3 on Sunday. On Saturday there was a reasonable NW breeze although a significant wind shift and course change kept everyone on their toes. Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II finished about a minute ahead of Colin Samuelson in Toucan, followed closley by Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence and Tom Scott in Siskin. On Sunday, the breeze had veered to the SE and again required a course change half way through the race; Colin Samuelson in Toucan came in ahead of Tom Scott in Siskin and Peter Grimaldi in Redwing.
Well done to Ashley & June McLucas, Alex Norman and Dominic Powell who all passed the PBL2 Course over the weekend.
24 - 31 Aug
Alas the weather was not terribly kind for the shrimps Week "on water afternoons", however, most of them got out either in a Scow, Stafish/Peanut or Motor Boat and there certainly were lots of happy smiles all round.
Although there were few if any Redwings racing during the week, the One-Designs managed slightly better on most days. Well done to the Orange family who won the Margetson Trophy (family pairs) and the Spouses Match. Also to Xander Shaw who won the Cartright Prize, James Bullin the Burrows Single handed Trophy, and Mark Grz who won a closely fought Jubilee Trophy on Saturday morning. In the Redwing's Jeannie Cochrane Final on Saturday morning, James Wilson in No 30 Quail was the pretty convincing winner.
Some great racing over the weekend with possibly a record number of boats, particularly in the One-Design fleet, out in the fresh breeze. John Harbord-Hamond took home a 1st, 2nd & 3rd to win the August Points Trophy by the narrowest of margins. Certainly D & Brian Orange, along with James Bullin were never far off the pace.
Some excellent Daring racing over the Bnk Holiday weekend - well done in particular to Giles Peckham in No 3 Dauntless with three 1sts and a 6th.
17 - 23 Aug
A relatively quiet week on the water but a very successful Oppy 4 and the One-Designs had some good sailing most days. Indeed considerable excitement on Friday afternoon when two crew from a One-Design (with 3 crew) went overboard when the boat gybed and broached in the F4/5 breeze. Skilfull sailing by a fellow helm rescued one and Rod in DELTA who was fortunately just off Colonel's Hard at the time picked up the other.
Well done to Emma Stanley who won the Curling Trophy for the most improved on Oppy 4, Archie Goodwin who won the Best kept Oppy (and the Watt Trophy for the best kept Oppy throughout the Oppy 1 to 4 courses), and to Oscar Chalmers who won the Race Cup for the week's racing.
Just enough wind over the weekend for the BHYC Regatta which was very well atended. Well done to Myles Powell in particular who made a clean sweep sailing his Topaz Uno the Slow Handicap. James Doherty in his Uno came second on Saturday and Oscar Chalmers in his Oppy, who sailed in the Slow Handicap in the absence of any other Oppies, came 3rd on Sunday
Excellent turnout in the One-Designs over the weekend. Saturday's Selwyn Cup was won by D Orange in No 6, who was just under a minute ahead of John Harbord-Hamond in No 4 & Mark Grz in No 9. On Sunday, Pat Spalding in No 12 finished over 4 minutes ahead of Brian Orange in No 11 and Mark Grz in No 6 to take the Hector Humphray Cup. Meanwhile, in the Redwings on Saturday (10 starters) Harry Greenway in Snow Goose was a minute ahead of Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlet II and Colin Samuelson in Toucan. On Sunday (8 starters), Meri Benham had a fine victory in Paroquet, with Joe Robertson & Colin Samuelson again following up in 2nd & 3rd respectively.
Finally, five Darings on Saturday & six on Sunday enjoyed some challenging courses. Charles Perry in Defiant had a 1st & 3rd; Peter Scott in Daring Do a 2nd & 6th; Hamish Janson in Streak a 5th (actually helmed by Xander Shaw) & a 2nd (one second ahead of Charles Perry); Brian Hardy in Destroyer a 4th & 1st, and Lavinia Perry in Dreamer a 3rd & 5th.
12 - 16 Aug
A busy week blessed by reasonable weather which made it a lot more fun. The report on the BSC v SVYC match on Monday is reported separetely below. There were two Redwings helmed by Cadets out on Tuesday morning racing for the Norman Philips Trophy - well done to Poppy Maltby who the Luxmoore-Styles; the Blly Fortescue (Ladies) race meanwhile was won by Pat Spalding. On Tuesday afternoon half a dozen scow ladies enjoyed their racing teach-in and "practice" races run by the Club Secretary. On Wednesday afternoon, four Redwings enjoyed some enthusiastic team racing (see below for a short report by Andrew Eddy). Friday & Saturday saw some excellent racing for the annual Regatta in the S/SW 3-4 breezes. Thanks to all the Race Officers and RIB/Safety Boat helms who helped make it so successful.
Winners were as follows:
Darings - Friday (6 starters) Dynamite - Anthony Balme; Saturday (5 starters) Dynamite - Anthony Balme
Redwings - Friday (16 starters) Quail - James Wilson; Saturday (14 starters) Quail - James Wilson
Seaview Mermaids - Friday (9 starters) No 1 - Ben Few-Brown; Saturday (11 starters) No 3 - Jonathan Hill.
One-Designs - Friday (9 starters) No 9 - Mark Grzegorczyk; Saturday (12 starters) No 8 - James Bullin.
Squibs - Friday (4 starters) No 500 Martin Harrison; Saturday (4 starters) No 500 Martin Harrison.
Optimists - Friday (17 starters) No 5597 - Jos Laughton-Scott; Saturday (5 starters) No 5597 - Jos Laughton-Scott.
Lasers - Friday (32 starters) No 192529 Oliver Glanville; Saturday (15 starters) No 192529 - Oliver Glanville.
Scows - Friday (19 starters) No 611 - Graham Sutton; Saturday (18 starters) No 546 Oliver Morgan.
Slow Handicap - Friday (7 starters) Uno - Myles Powell; Saturday (5 starters) Topaz Uno+ - Henrietta Tidbury.
Fast Handicap - Friday (11 starters) Hobie 405 - Martin Moore; Saturday (3 starters) Finn - George Cooper.
12 Aug - Redwing Team Racing by Andrew Eddy
For the first time in 3 years, the weather was settled enough for a Team Racing event to be held. With the two teams arranged so as to reflect their finishing order at Cowes, Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence joined the Commodore's Team led by Mike McInnes in Avocet, and Joe Robertson in Red Gauntlett II raced in the Captain's Team led by Andrew Eddy in Plover.
Jonthan Peel, assisted by Mark Konig, gave a briefing to the contenders and as Race Officer set a short windward leeward twice round course for the maximum of 5 races starting in the Fitzwilliam area.
The first two Races were won by the Captain's Team. Races 3 and 4 were won by the Commodore's Team! In the final and deciding race, the Commodore's team got off to clean starts and led by such a distance it looked as if it would be a procession with no interteam incidents! However, some keen efforts by the Captain's team meant that on the last leg, Plover was sailing Avocet off to Portsmouth while Quintessence & Red Gauntlett II headed for the Lifefboat Station. It looked as if the normally 15 minute race could be extended into the late afternoon. The Commodore and Captain slowly moved towards the finishing line and it became impossible for them to help their team mates. Meanwhile Joe and Robin were battling it out on the dead run leg their final approach to the line that turned out to be nearly a beat!
After they passed the finishing line none of the contenders knew who had won- fortunately the Race Officer's keen eye was confident that the bow of Quintessence was 5 inches behind that of Red Gauntlett II - so the Captain's team won the Trophy. Thank you to Jonathan and Mark and the the contenders for providing such excellent and amusing racing....
10 Aug - BSC v SVYC Keelboat Team Racing by the Commodore
The morning racing in Mermaids was a fair disaster for BSC. I think none of the Bembridge Sailors could quickly grasp what was needed with the Mermaids, and we all were slipping everywhere as there are so few foot and hand holds anywhere! Interestingly I think there were 3 boat failures – none disastrous and all 12 boats had temporary repairs and sailed.
We did it as team racing in 2 flights of 6, we took the odd numbers. We were beaten 4-0 on the four races we had. 1,3,and 5 racing 2,4,and 6 on the first race – 7,9 and 11 racing 8,10 and 12 and then we swapped and 1,3 and 5 raced 8,10 and 12 and 7,9 and 11 raced 2,4 and 6.
Clearly Seaview were better at team racing than we were, but overall we were still re-learning about Mermaids during some fairly strong winds and exciting racing. It is just that most of the Bembridge boats were never in the front two!
Following an excellent lunch at Seaview, we went to our One Designs. In retrospect possibly we should have had our storm sails up, as there was undoubtedly a nasty squall that made sailing extremely exciting! I think there were problems with two kicking straps on the BOD’s. ( No 9 which Roy Burrows knows about as he was in her and one of the even numbers I think had a problem but solved it). Notwithstanding this, I am pleased to report that in the afternoon boats 7, 9 and 11 won both flights of races against boats 8, 10, and 12 and later 2, 4 and 6 whereas boats 1, 3 and 5 gave a better display than the morning but still lost both their races so that it ended up a 6-2 victory for Seaview on races.
Lots of fun, an excellent tea and everybody went home happy.
4 - 10 August
Much better weather for most of the week which certainly made it easier and more fun on Oppy 2 and none of the children were buried under the ball tentage! Well done to Harry Winterbottom who won the Curling Cup & Oliver Joy who won the Biggest Pot for racing.
The Redwings meanwhile had some excellent sailing at Cowes. Ed Peel ended up as the overall winner with Colin Samuelson second and Matt Alexander third (out of the 26 Redwings entered). There were a handful of One-Designs out most days. However, over the weekend - racing for the Brinton Cup - there was a good turnout (8 boats) on Saturday in the gentle SE breeze; Mark Grz finished well ahead having gone inshore on both of the beats. James Row was 2nd and John Deacon 3rd. On Sunday the fleet was much reduced - possibly as it was the night after the ball but to be fair it may have also been due to the very light easterly breeze! Mark Grz crossed the line well ahead of John Deacon & Anna Row to take the Cup. On Saturday morning, four One-Designs worth of under 30s competed for the Hulbert Prize - well done parents for getting them all to Colonels Hard! The Harbord-Hamonds were the clear winners until the last 50 yards when the Nainby-Luxmoore/Lucmoore-Styles stole past in the fickle breeze to take the cup.
Finally, many congratulations to Edward Nainby-Luxmoore who was in the silver medal winning 8 at last weeks recent Junior World Rowing Championships in France.
28 July - 3 August
Another disappointing week's weather for Cadet Week (& Scow Week), however, as always the best was made of every opportunity to get the most out of the on water periods particularly in the windy conditions. In the event we had 92 cadets on the course (30 sailing Lasers, 16 sailing Topaz Tres, 28 on Uno +s, 12 in Oppies and 6 in Wayfarers). Pity about the team racing on Thursday which was cancelled because of the windy conditions. However, team beach games went down very well and a worthy winner of the Evelyn Morton Cup was found. Well done to all the instructors - they certainly had to earn their pay! It was also good to see a dozen or so of them out on both Wednesday & Thursday evenings for the hastily arranged Instructors races. George Cooper & Matt Grier were unbeatable and were first and second respectively.
Cadet Week Trophy winners were as follows:
Beginners Trophy (Best Colt) - Francesca Barrow
Scow Cup (Topaz Uno most improved) - Ned Cobb
Catseye & Clarissa (Oppy most improved) - Fergus Williams
Oppy Shirt (Consistent effort) - Nellie Popplewell
Butler Trophy (Oppy racing) - Jos Laughton-Scott
David Niven Trophy (Tres most improved)- Claudia Matthews & Arabella Watt
Firefly Cup (Topaz racing) - Abby Doherty & Emily Tatham
420 Cup (Uno + racing) - Myles Powell & Jamie Row
Sharman Trophy (Laser most improved) - Becca Speare-Cole
Clegg Tankard - (Laser B Group Racing) - Jamie Cobb
Genevieve Trophy (Overall Laser racing) - Freddie Chalmers
Salamander Trophy (Best Under 15 Cadet) - Will Toogood
Amelia Jessel Prize ( Best Under 18 Cadet) - Fergus Penny
Evelyn Morton Cup (Team racing) - Sam Harbord-Hamond & Lilly Luxmoore-Styles team
Rusty Shackle - Spin Guy
At Gurnard Dinghy Week meanwhile, our 3 Cadet entries and one adult (Rex Chalmers) certainly found the conditions challenging; well done to Fergus Penny came a very creditable 3rd in the Laser 4.7 fleet.
Few if any Redwings & One-Designs raced during the week, however the passage race to Cowes was well supported on Friday morning. Ed Peel in Quail ended up well ahead of Hugo Cuddigan in Capella II and Mike MacInnes in Avocet.
Excellent turnout for the Scow Parade on Friday evening.
19 - 27 July
Disappointing week's weather for the slightly smaller than the past few years Laser/Topaz (46) & Oppy 1 (18 full day & 14 half-day) courses, however, as always the best was made of every opportunity to get the most out of the on water periods particularly in the windy conditions. Pity about the team racing on Thursday which had to be abandoned after the first 4 races when the breeze got up too much to make it safe to continue. However, well done to all the instructors - they certainly had to earn their pay!
Trophy winners were as follows:
Tidbury Trophy (Laser Radial most improved) - George Matthews
Truman Tankard (Laser 4.7 most improved) - Alice Luxmoore-Styles
Musker Cup (Laser 4.7 racing) - Freddie Chalmers
Du Boulay Cup (Laser Handicap racing) - Freddie Chalmers
Evans Cup (Topaz most improved) - Jasper Ross
Palmer Trophy (Topaz Uno racing) - Robert Tidbury
Seymour Prize (Tres racing) - Claudia Matthews & Arabella Watt
Evelyn Morton Bowl (Team Racing) - Red team (tug of war!)
Curling Cup (most improved Oppy 1) - Georgina Pollock
Middle Pot (Oppy racing) - Jos Laughton-Scott
Watt Prize (best kept Oppy during Oppy 1) - Charles Nainby-Luxmoore
The Redwings & One-Designs sailing in the Cowes Classic Regatta during the week appear to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves (see BOD webpage for Jos's report). On Saturday 8 Redwings started in the breezy SSW'erly breeze. Three returned home clearly deciding to play things safe with Cowes only a week away. Laura Gosling in Gosling emerged the winner ahead by just under a minute ahead of David McCue in Musicus and Robin Ebsworth in Quintessence. Ten Redwings gathered off Morton for the Princessa Trophy on Sunday morning; conditions were almost perfect with a Southerly F4 providing probably the best race of the season. The majority of the fleet headed inshore after rounding Bembridge Ledge and then played chicken with the rocks as they tried to cheat the tide. The 3 boats remaining offshore meanwhile had a stress free ride albeit reaching Princessa slightly behind the leaders (Joe Roberston in Red Gauntlett II and Colin Samuelson in Toucan) who rounded within a few feet of each other. Joe remained ahead for the rest of the race, however, Serena Gosling in Gosling managed to get ahead of Colin on the last beat from Patch to Under Tyne. Some close racing for the remainder of the fleet and big smiles all round on the way back to the Club. In the afternoon, Hayley Landon in Prawn finished well ahead of Serena Gosling in Gosling, Sarah Maltby in Enigma & Mary Luxmoore-Styles in Capercaille to win the Mercedes Trophy (Ladies race).
There were 4 One-Designs out on Saturday; James Row in No 8 crossed the line a minute ahead of John H-Hamond in No 4, with Rob Mathieson a minute later in 3rd. On Sunday, only 3 boats were out, D Orange in No 11 winning by a long distance from Pat Spalding in No 1 and Martin Bonham in No 2.
A big thank you to the SVYC team who ran the EWCC Oppy Regatta on Friday - not a large fleet but well done to those who survived the blustery conditions - in particular to Joss Laughton-Scott who came 3rd overall (and 2nd in Race 2). Similar thanks is due to the BHYC team who ran the EWCC Dinghy Regatta on Sunday afternoon. Well done to Freddie Chalmers who won both Laser 4.7 races and Jos Laughton-Scott who won both Oppy races. A final word of commendation to Oscar Chalmers (aged 9) who came a very creditable 3rd in the second Oppy race.