Illusion Ice Breaker Trophy Bembridge Harbour

by Rudy Jurg on 11 Jan 2011 Illusion Ice Breaker Trophy is raced for by the hardy Illusion sailors in Bembridge Harbour.

Sea temperatures were a mild 6c and air temperature was similar although over both days the sun came out to make it a very pleasant for the 18 racers who braved the elements. Although not as many sailors as the previous weekend the calibre of people was no less.

With a relatively new race team there was some confusion with regards to the first start as multiple hoots could be heard, was somebody over the line or general recall? A few boats slowed down and Piers Thomas turned back but when looking at the flags it was the OCS flag and not General Recall. Although both Mark Downer and Graham Bailey had an average start they quickly worked themselves to the front. Robert Holbrook who is a relative newcomer to the class worked his way up the fleet with good use of the many wind shifts. They would finish in that order.

With the race committee having obtained a new hooter, race two got off with a flying start. This time it was Rupert Holmes who played the right hand side of the course and took a big lead to win the race. He was followed by Rudy Jurg and Piers Thomas in third. Despite the tricky conditions Robin Ebsworth managed a very credible fourth place, his best race this season.

In the last race of Saturday’s racing Rudy Jurg started over port and together with Graham Bailey but up a marginal lead but with the wind shifting and varying in strength within a couple boat lengths it was on the last long beat that Sue Thomas took second place, followed by Mark Downer. Still clinging to fourth place Rudy Jurg was overtaken on the line by Julia Bailey when they split tacks at the bottom of the marks.

Sundays racing got off in a clear blue sky and Graham Bailey, Rudy Jurg took the lead with James Meaning in hot pursuit, the two front runners seemed to work in unison but both got caught up in a large fleet of dinghies from Brading Haven sailing club which enabled James Meaning to jump in front as he took the opposite marker at the downwind gate.

In the second race of the day it was Mark Downer who regained his form and together with Rudy Jurg built up a small lead although Julia Bailey was always in close contact and finished third. Front runner Graham Bailey went right up the first beat, which did not pay, and never recovered by finishing 10th. Another newcomer to the fleet and first time out this season was Rob Gray. Having found how his steering pedals work and which string does what after coming second from last in the previous race he finished fifth in this.

The last race was again one with big wind shifts and patches of light airs and it was hard work for everyone with nobody running away but it was at the last upwind mark in which Rudy Jurg lost 3 places within a few boat lengths letting in James Meaning, Julia Bailey and Piers Thomas who followed Mark Downer to the finish line.

Thanking the race officers Charles Evans, James Row and Robert Owen Illusion Class Admiral Vernon Stratton presented the prices to first placed Mark Downer, second placed Rudy Jurg and Graham Bailey in third just beating his wife Julia Bailey into fourth.

Next racing is 22/23 January for the Piers January Jacket.

National Illusion Class website

Benbridge Sailing Club website