Bembridge Illusion Bailey Bowl 2025

Sadly neither Graham or Julia were able to race for 'their trophy' over the weekend; obviously a pity as there were twenty boats racing on Saturday and sixteen on Sunday.

Saturday by Robin Joy

A chilly and rather variable NW gave testing conditions for the three Illusion races run inside the harbour, with 20 boats out for the first day of the Bailey Bowl weekend.

Bembridge Illusion Bailey Bowl 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Proceedings started with a little over-enthusiasm, and after a general recall the U flag was displayed to encourage restraint! On the second attempt Rory Morrison got the best start, and led the fleet up the first beat. However, he gybed into a minor hole on the subsequent run, allowing James Wilson through, with Owen Pay in hot pursuit.

Re-start of Race 1 on Saturday

Xander Shaw did not have the greatest of starts, but worked his way quickly up the rankings. James was not to be caught, and won by 45 seconds from Rory with owen third. Oliver Morgan finished fourth, followed by Xander. Billy Clegg, a very welcome addition to the fleet, suffered a steering failure, but gamely managed to grab a pontoon, make repairs, and finish the race, albeit in last place.

A closely contested second start resulted in a couple of 360 penalties being taken, but it was again James who showed the way. This time it was Justin Biddle chasing, but to little avail as James read the windshifts well. This was no mean task, as the windward mark needed relaying three times during the race, thanks to the shifty breeze. James won by a minute, followed by Justin and Owen. Hugh Doherty was fourth.

Bembridge Illusion Bailey Bowl 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

The third race saw increasingly gusty conditions, with windspeed jumping from 10 to 20 kts as the grey clouds rolled over. This caused some exciting spinnaker moments, but they didn't trouble James much, as he led the fleet for the third straight race. However, Oliver Morgan was snapping at his transom for most of the race. There was also plenty of close racing in the middle of the fleet, so this final race was run for four rounds. James held Oliver off, but only by 4 seconds. Third was David Peerless, followed by Justin.

Sunday by Mike Samuelson

There was a bit more westerly in the breeze on Sunday, so a longer course was able to be set. The first race started 10 minutes late, but with plenty of water and enough daylight despite the clocks going back an hour, it did not really matter. Wiping the slate clean from the previous day, the first race got away with a clean start under the P Flag.

Start of Race 1 (4) on Sunday

Jockey carried on from where he left off and was again first to the windward mark with Oliver not far behind; as they approached the leeward gate one of the gate buoys was spotted as off-station so the Race Officers had to yell out instructions to round the remaining buoy to port. In the event everyone got the message and chaos was avoided. On the second and third rounds Jockey extended his lead and finished 30 seconds ahead of Oliver with Justin 45 seconds later in third. Hugh Doherty, who had been in third as they began the second round was fourth just ahead of Xander and Robin Ebsworth.

Another good start under Flag P saw Owen Pay reach the windward marks ahead of Xander, Jockey and Andrew Eddy. With the breeze gusting 18 knots the fleet again split tacks as they headed back to the windward buoys.

Start of Race 2 (5) on Sunday

Owen held the lead however unfortunately was involved in an incident with a boat running through the line on starboard as he was beating back towards the windward mark on port. He initially continued racing but subsequently retired and headed back to the cranes. This left Jockey in first a minute ahead of Xander and Justin third. Although he had held his position for most of the race, Andrew had to make do with eighth after things had gone wrong for him towards the end of the race.

The start of the third race saw a General Recall after it was decided that there were too many boats over the line close to the pin.

1st Start of Race 3 (6) on Sunday

The re-start under Flag U was another close run start with Oliver over cooking it at the Committee Boat end of the line and crossing ahead of the hooter thereby picking up an automatic disqualification. At the pin end there were a few close calls but as the video shows, no-one else breached the line ahead of the hooter.

Re-start of Race 3 (6) on Sunday

Jockey and Justin made it look easy as they dominated the front of the fleet; indeed after the second round they had established a minute plus lead over the chasing boats. Although initially in third, Xander dropped back to ninth on the third round. David P meanwhile made up a lot of ground and ended up in third just ahead of Mike Toogood and Hugh.

At the leeward gate during Race 3 (6) on Sunday

A clean sweep by Jockey with 6 wins; Justin was second and Oliver was third. The next Regatta is in a fortnight - the Guy Fawkes Trophy. Finally, one more team is required for the Team Racing weekend of 22 & 23 November. Please contact Raymond Simonds if you would like to join in the fun!

Overall Results: