Gales hit Illusion fleet racing at Bembridge
by Rupert Holmes on 19 Mar 2007
Illusion racing at Bembridge SC Mike Samuelson htttp://
www.bembridgesailingclub.org
Fifteen intrepid Illusionists enjoyed superb close racing in bright spring sun over the weekend of March 17/18 at Bembridge SC.
Saturday was a day of snakes and ladders, with a very shifty F4-5 westerly breeze making for frequent position changes. Bruce Huber (placed 2, 1, 2), Justin Biddle (1, 4, 3) and Jo Downer (3, 2, 7) always seemed to be on the right side of the shifts.
Newcomer to the fleet Richard Jordan also showed good speed, including a win in the final race of the day.
Sunday saw a reduced fleet of eight boats braving blustery conditions, with gusts hitting 35 knots. Everyone successfully completed the first race, with Bruce, Mark and Jo Downer taking podium positions.
The fleet fared less well in the second race, with almost half its number filling with water to the gunwales. Rupert Holmes was first to get wet, quickly followed by Jo Downer and Justin Biddle. Mark, Bruce, Phillip Woodford and Richard Ambler were the only finishers.
With a diminishing number of Illusions still afloat, race officer David Bottom wisely called off the final race.
Overall results
1 Bruce Huber
2 Justin Biddle
3 Jo Downer
4 Rupert Holmes
5 Richard Ambler
6 Philip Woodford
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