Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy 2023

Nice sailing breezes during the week, but then for the second week running they dropped off for the weekend! However, despite the forecast projecting very light airs on Saturday early afternoon, seventeen enthusiastic sailors rigged up and launched in the hopes of a workable breeze materialising.

After a 15 minute postponement, the Race Officers decided that there were enough zephyrs ghosting down the harbour to make a start. Unusually Mark Downer and David R-J were over the line at the start, however both came back and as the race unfolded, both ended up well up the order. Despite his Illusion looking a bit stern heavy, Owen Pay was first to the windward mark by quite a margin; Mike Toogood lead the chasing fleet of Colin Simonds, Mark and Matt Solan. Progress to the leeward gate was slow but offered some tactical options to find the best pressure. Little change in the order as they went into the second round with Owen holding off Colin who crept up on run having picked up one of the elusive zephyrs. Mark's decision to not fly his spinnaker did not pay off and he had to be content with fourth place after the race was shortened after two rounds.

Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy 2023 - photo © Mike Samuelson

After quite a long pause while the back markers finished, it was again decided that there was just enough of a breeze to make a second race worthwhile. So the next start sequence was initiated but with the option to AP if the breeze disappeared. In the event, there was just enough to get boats moving off the line. Olly Laughton-Scott found himself the wrong side of the line but was fortunately able to duck back; meanwhile those who were further back found themselves becalmed and took some time to eventually cross the line.

Start of Race 2 Saturday

Jonathan N-L lead around the windward mark but Mark overtook him on the run by keeping well right. Jonathan remained in second until at the leeward gate for the second time where unluckily he and a number of others hit a hole and went nowhere. Clearly the moral was 'if you catch a zephyr you overtake, if you don't you are on a hiding to nothing!'. With the breeze disappearing yet again, the race was finished after two rounds with Justin Biddle ghosting through into second place after rounding the starboard gate. Colin held onto third and Andy Christie, following Justin's example was fourth. Further racing was abandoned and with some judicious paddling everyone headed back to the Club.

Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy 2023 - photo © Mike Samuelson

As forecast, there was a bit more breeze, albeit from the East/South East, for Sunday's racing. Having decided against racing outside the harbour as there was quite a swell; twenty Illusions made their way gingerly over the sand bank in the middle of the harbour to the start area opposite the eastern end of the Duver Visitors Pontoon. Had it not been a white boat then someone would would have been called over the line at the start of the first race of the day, however they got away with it!

Start of Race 3 on Sunday

Jonathan N-L was first to round the windward mark but with Bruce Huber, Justin and Mike Toogood, only inches away, it was never going to be an easy ride. So with Bruce going like a train in the shifty 7 knot ESE'erly breeze it was not long before he had moved into the lead, leaving Jonathan and Justin to battle it out for second and third. Mid-fleet, Julia and Colin had a very close race with only inches separating them at the end of the third round.

On the Run - Race 3 Sunday

With the clock ticking and another three races to fit in, the second race of the day was started under Flag U and was stopped after 2 rounds. After a good start, Bruce, Caroline and Justin emerged as the front runners, but with Bruce seemingly unstoppable, the other two were more into damage limitation and seeing who was going to come second!

Start Race 4 on Sunday

Another Flag U start to Race 5 saw everyone getting away smoothly.

Start Race 5 on Sunday

After two rounds and with Bruce well ahead again, the S flag was displayed to draw the race to a close with Colin ahead of Caroline and Justin.

With the cold beginning to bite (well certainly for the Race Officers), the final race of the day got away to another excellent start (albeit without Bruce who had a ferry to catch) so it was interesting to see who would lead the fleet on the beat up to the windward mark. In the event, it was Julia who rounded first with Justin and Mark close behind.

Start of Race 6 on Sunday

Julia held her lead for most of the two and a half round race, but Justin just pipped her on the finish line at the windward mark and Mark had to be content with a more distant third. There were, including Justin and Julia, five sets of very close finishes which just highlights yet again the strength of the fleet and the close racing to be had at Bembridge.

Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy 2023 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Despite his three wins today, Bruce was unable make up for missing yesterday's two races and so finished 8th overall. Justin was the most consistent at the front end of the fleet and so deservedly won the Valentine Trophy 10 points ahead of Colin with Mark in 3rd with 2 points more. Caroline was the first lady and Tim Lyle won the 'encourage les autres' prize.

Bembridge Illusion Valentine Trophy 2023 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Bill's 'famous' Barrel next weekend - 10 o'clock starts both days. See you there!

Additional Photos at flic.kr/s/aHBqjArT5z

Overall Results: