Illusion Guy Fawkes at Bembridge Sailing Club
by Rudy Jurg 5 Nov 2012 05:38 PST
3-4 November 2012
No burning of an Illusion for this event unlike the effigy of Guy Fawkes which usually get burned in many public displays across the country (Great Britain only). This event is a 6 race series for a wooden half model of Illusion called the Guy Fawkes Trophy.
On Saturday the forecast was for blustery conditions but a Westerly force 4 gave the 8 sailors who came out to sail plenty of action. As ever in these higher wind conditions Mark Downer dominated and won all 3 races of the day. Graham Sunderland and Rudy Jurg continued their rivalries on the water swapping places multiple times but Graham Sunderland's knowledge of the rules gave him the upper hand on this day. In the mix was Julia Bailey too who has had a tremendous season in her Dragon Aimee over the summer and will use the Illusion season as good practice for the big events next year.
Sunday morning did not look good, rain, squalls and 30+ knots in the harbour. It was decided to postpone racing for half an hour. A wise decision as the wind halved in strength and the sun came out! Mark Downer opened the day with winning race 1. Graham Sunderland and Rudy Jurg battled right to the finish line finishing within a few inches of each other but did not see that Richard Ambler had opted for the committee boat end of the finishing line and thereby taking second place. In race two Graham Sunderland got a flying start in dying breeze and won easily. Mark Downer took second and his wife Jo Downer found her own bit breeze to power through to a credible third place.
In the last race Rudy Jurg got off to a flying start with a nice lead but managed to get himself tangled between two moorings and had to go over the side to free himself. This let Graham Sunderland through to take the final winners gun. In a breeze which was no more than 2-4 knots it was a game of snakes and ladders with careful movement of rudder and sails to make it round the marks. Mark finished third and Robin Ebsworth was very pleased to come fourth.
Overall Results:
1st Mark Downer
2nd Graham Sunderland
3rd Rudy Jurg
Next event is the Picnic Hamper Trophy! A basket filled with nice food and maybe a bottle!