Bembridge Illusion Prince Philip Cup 2024/2025

Bembridge Illusion Prince Philip Cup - 18 January 2025 © Mike Samuelson

After a couple of week's break, it was business as usual for the Bembridge Illusion fleet. The Cup at stake was the Prince Philip Cup that was first raced for in 2021 in memory of the late Duke of Edinburgh.

The Cup itself was very kindly donated to the Class by John Raymond and was one of a number that he had inherited from his father who had been a top Dragon sailor in the late 1940's and mid 1950's. This particular small silver replica cup was for coming fourth in the inaugural Edinburgh Cup in 1949.

Bembridge Illusion Prince Philip Cup - photo © Mike Samuelson

Although the fleet was not as large as the inaugural one in 2021, eighteen boats (fifteen on Saturday and thirteen on Sunday) in the middle of January is still pretty good! After a quarter of an hour postponement to allow everyone to get to the start that was set up close to Bembridge Marine's pontoon, the first race on Saturday headed up to the windward mark and spreader not far from the inner harbour entrance.

Olly Laughton-Scott and William Mills over-cooked it and were called OCS; Olly came back but William did not; however as a relative newbie he was encouraged to continue rather than hold up proceedings.

Mark Downer took advantage of the shifty Easterly F3 breeze, and rounded the windward and spreader marks with a substantial lead that he built on over the rest of the three round race. David Russell-Jones, Jo Downer, Raymond Simonds, Hugh Doherty and Julia Bailey formed the chasing group and as such they enjoyed some very close racing. Jo moved up into second during the second round as did Raymond into third ahead of David.

In an attempt to avoid a general recall it was decided to go for a Flag U prep flag for the second race. It worked perfectly and as a result everyone held back just enough for it to be a clean start.

Mark again was the first to round the windward marks but this time Raymond was much closer, as were Oliver Morgan, Colin, Julia and Mike Toogood. Raymond took over the lead on the second round however he had a problem with his spinnaker and could not do anything to stop Mark re-taking the lead. Julia was third and Alastair was fourth.

The third and final race of the day took two starts. The first was under Flag U but with just too many pushing for the perfect start there was little option than to signal a General Recall. Just as well for those who could be identified as it meant that they could re-start. The second start was under the Black Flag and as can be seen on the video was 'all clear' (just, in Julia's case!)

At the pin end of the line Raymond managed to 'hook' Mark who stalled and found himself going nowhere for a couple of minutes; then it was catch up time and not surprisingly it was not long before his grey spinnaker began to move up the fleet. David, Raymond, Colin, Julia, Jo and Alastair were all close at the front and it was clear that the end result was going to depend on whoever read the windshifts the best.

By this time most had worked out that the best route was to stay on starboard all the way to the St Helens shore so as to take advantage of the tide that was on its way out.

With the finish established at the windward mark after three and a half rounds it was still nip and tuck as they began the fourth and final beat. Mark got it wrong and ended a disappointing (for him anyway) ninth. Meanwhile it was all to play for Colin, Julia, Jo, Raymond and Alastair - a battle won by Raymond, with Jo, Colin and Julia mere seconds behind.

Only thirteen boats rigged up on Sunday; well actually there were fourteen but Monty Irwin's back stay got caught on the crane as she was being launched and damaged the mast slightly so he remained ashore to effect a repair. Frustratingly for him, he completed a repair and sailed out to the start area for the second race only to see further racing abandoned after the wind died completely.

Bembridge Illusion Prince Philip Cup - 19 January 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

After a twenty five minute postponement while the Race Officers did their best to set a course in the very light and variable breeze, the first (and as it turned out, only) race of the day managed to get away with only Tim Lyle over cooking it and having to come back. There were a number of calls of 'no room' at the Committee Boat end of the line including Jo against husband Mark and Robin Ebsworth on John Birchenough!

Things looked good for the first round with just enough wind to allow for some reasonable racing. Raymond led the way with Colin, Julia, Mark and Oliver not that far behind, however when they were half way up the second beat, the wind backed 45+ degrees which meant most were able to reach to the windward mark; similarly to the leeward gate and back to the line where the race was finished.

As always with major windshifts, some benefit and some dip out but that's sailing!

With the fickle breeze going round in circles and despite the course being re-set at least three times, it was mutually agreed to call it a day and abandon further racing. Predictably ten minutes later it was sailable, however enough was enough and back in the bar everyone was still smiling.

With four races and therefore a discard taken into account, the overall winner was Raymond with Mark second and Julia third. No racing next weekend as the tides are wrong; the one after (1 & 2 February) is set up for team racing.

Bembridge Illusion Prince Philip Cup - 19 January 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Overall Results: