Bembridge Sailing Club Early May Bank Holiday Keelboat Racing
by Robin Joy & Jos Coad 5 May 22:17 PDT
3-5 May 2025
Saturday 3 May (by Robin Joy)
The first Redwing racing of 2025 (for the Quail Trophy) attracted three boats to the start line, Colin Samuelson in Toucan, Matt Alexander helming Harlequin, and Jockey Wilson in Quail. A steady 10 kts had settled in from the north, giving a windward leg from Garland to Derrick, with Tara as a leeward mark, twice round. A temporary windshift led to a closely contested port tack start for all, and the boats remained close on the beat up to Derrick, and on the run to Tara. Harlequin had worked into a small lead by now, and, as a second race was planned, the race was stopped after just one round. Quail was second, and Toucan third.
The sun had properly appeared by now, and in perfect conditions three short rounds were set for race two, from a start at Footprint, up to Britten, and then downwind to Under Tyne. Quail and Harlequin starting on port needed to duck Toucan on starboard, but they were moving well, and Harlequin had moved in to a lead by the windward mark. Two rounds gave 45 minutes racing, so the race was shortened, with Harlequin leading Quail and then Toucan.
A healthy nine One-Designs, racing for the Woofroffe Bowl, over a slightly shorter version of the Redwing course using Under Tyne as a leeward mark. There was little to chose between the boats on the beat, with Jos Coad (No 7), Charles Perry (No 8) and James Beart (No 5) all in contention. Charles led at the leeward mark, but a couple of well timed tacks put James ahead, and he won by 20 seconds from Charles, with Tash Ross (No 4) an excellent third, and Jos fourth. They were followed by Simon Allocca (No 10), Russ Fowler (No 1), Penny Stanley (No 9), Martin Bonham (No 2) and Mark Hodgkinson (No 6).
As with the Redwings, the BODs sailed two shorter rounds (From Footprint to Britten and then Under-Tyne) for their second race. Again the fleet was closely matched, but the leading boats appeared to overstand somewhat on port on the second beat, which rather shook up the order. The winners from this held on to their advantages well, and at the finish Simon led the fleet, chased home by Ash McLucas (No 6), James, and Tad. Next came Charles, Penny, Roy Burrows (No 2), Pete Summerhayes (No 7), and Lottie Fowler (No 1).
Sunday 4 May (by Jos Coad)
Six Redwings and five One-Designs came out to race on Sunday afternoon in a northerly 4 gusting 5. Starting from Garland, the Redwings' course was to Derrick, Under Tyne and back through the line twice round. The breeze steadied to a 4 so for the second round, the course was shortened to Britten, Under Tyne and finish to enable time for the second race. They all sailed to the left of the Fort with Jockey Wilson in Quail and Matt Alexander in Harlequin getting well ahead of Mike Toogood in Tara with Ed Eddy in Plover, Colin Samuelson in Toucan and Richard Jessel in Blue Jay. No changes at the finish with Quail comfortably ahead of Harlequin who was well clear of the others.
For the second race the Redwings' course was Derrick, back to Garland twice round which they accomplished in perfect time - 48 minutes. Blue Jay had opted to go home after the first race so the other five set off with the wind having moved slightly to the NNE. Quail and Harlequin again got away from the rest, with Matt just ahead at the end of the first round; however Jockey overtook him on the second round and won with Will Toogood in Tara doing very well in third, followed home by Ed Eddy and Colin Sam.
The course for the One-Designs first race was Derrick, Under Tyne through the line twice round, as for the Redwings. As the wind had steadied at 4 they took longer than anticipated, all having gone up towards Seaview before coming across to round Derrick. James Beart in No 5 got well ahead of Charles Perry in No 8, Simon Allocca in No 1, Mark Grz in No 9 and Roy Burrows in No 2; the order in which they finished. Given the time taken (36 minutes), and the fact they were completing their first round as the Redwings were finishing their race, it was decided to finish them after just the 1 round.
The course for the second race was as for the Redwings with Britten substituted for Derrick. James Beart was unstoppable and again won handsomely from Penny Stanley now helming No 9, Charles Perry in No 8, Russ Fowler now helming No 1 and Martin Bonham now helming No 2.
It was fortunate that the wind held enabling two good races for both fleets. In the One-Designs no spinnakers were flown, participants no doubt thinking the runs weren't long enough to justify the hassle of raising them. The standout performers were Jockey for the Redwings and James Beart for the One-Designs; both of them winning their races comfortably.
Although there were occasional Sunny periods the breezy and cold conditions put paid to any racing on Monday afternoon. This left Quail as the winner of the Quail Trophy and No 5 One-Design winning the Woodroffe Bowl.
Morning starts next weekend; normal racing & off season points for the One-Designs and Lt Col Sloane Stanley's Inkwell & Margaret Phillips for the Redwings.