Bembridge Illusion Picnic Hamper

by Mike Samuelson 7 Dec 2025 22:38 PST 6-7 December 2025

The weather gods were again not very kind for this weekend's Illusion racing which was for the annual Picnic Hamper. Last year, there were 26 boats enjoying the relatively benign conditions. However this year it was a very different story; Saturday morning was forecast to be blowing up to 30 knots from the South West with heavy rain at times.

It was therefore not surprising that there were not many takers! After discussions between Mike Toogood (the Class Captain) and the PRO (Mike Samuelson) along with a few hardy sailors it was agreed to 'give it a go'.

In the hopes of a bit of shelter the course was set well up the harbour. This proved to certainly help in terms of the sea conditions, but was questionable as far wind strength went. Averaging 22 knots with a few gusts in the high twenties provided some challenging racing (31 knots highest registered). Race 1 started 15 minutes late as the wind strength and direction made launching quite difficult. After a fairly conservative start it was not long before Mark Downer was out in front.

Start of Race 1 on Saturday

Indeed he had established a significant lead by the time he rounded the windward marks. Raymond Simonds and Jo Downer were close, as were Mike Toogood and Mike Issaias. Given the strength of the gusts no one sensibly braved flying their spinnakers. Will Lowe's pump pulled out from its fittings so he had to retire and head back to the quay. On the second beat Mike T managed to get ahead of Raymond and after a third round finished third behind Jo and Mark. The start of the second race was pretty similar to the first race with no one pushing too hard to be on the line at the start; mind you there was a bit of 'shouting' close to the Committee Boat.

Start of Race 2 on Saturday

Mark was again well out in front after the first round having gone left on all the beats. Jo was again second for the majority of the three round race. Raymond held onto third ahead of the two Mike's. Similar tactics were evident at the start of the third and final race of the day

Start of Race 3 on Saturday

Albeit, soon after the start Mike I was overwhelmed by a gust quickly filled up. Despite gallant efforts by Crispin Kenyon who was driving the mark laying/safety RIB, it was not long before Mike's boat sunk - fortunately on the central sand bank rather than in the channel which made recovery easier as the tide dropped. In the meantime Mark again dominated the four remaining boats. As the three round race progressed Mike T and Jo fought hard for second place with the former holding his nerve to take second, Although Mark was still well ahead at the finish, the margin was slightly reduced.

Well done to those who ventured out; conditions were certainly challenging!

Sunday morning's forecast was for slightly less wind but with rain (drizzle) at times. This encouraged a few more boats (10) to launch. Slightly against the initial thoughts of the race management team (Mike Samuelson, Robin Joy and Crispin Kenyon) it was agreed that as a number of the sailors had travelled considerable distances to race, and racing was going to be in the harbour, like the previous day it was decided to 'give it a go' but with the proviso that racing would be abandoned if conditions got worse.

The start of the first race got quite exciting with both Mark & Jo Downer overcooking it and having to extract themselves from the rest of the fleet to return to the pre-start side of the line. This put both at the back of the fleet.

Start of Race 1 (4) on Sunday

On the first run Raymond Simonds and two or three 'brave' members decided to fly their spinnakers; as it transpired, not a good move as they all broached! Indeed Raymod's broach in particular was certainly impressive and resulted in a full boat. Howevr, unlike Mike I the previous day, fortunately his Illusion remained afloat and he was able to pump it out in time for the next race. Although unsurprisingly it did not take Mark long to catch up, he was unable to reel in Hugh Doherty who managed to hold onto the first place he found himself in as the two round race unfolded. Jo, who had been last to start also managed to finish in the top three. Well done to newbie Richard Coleman who came a very creditable eighth.

Race 2 of the day started in 25 knots which was quite exciting; as far as Race Officers were concerned it was a clean start and Flag X was not displayed.

Start of Race 2 (5) on Sunday

Unfortunately for her, Jo thought she had been over at the start so erroneously returned which put her to the back of the fleet (again). A fourth place finish illustrated how well she was coping with the strong breeze. Will Lowe was the surprise leader until he reached the leeward gate when sadly for him he was hit by a couple of strong gusts that knocked him off tack. Mark took over in the lead with David Russell-Jones, Raymond, Monty Irwin and Olly Laughton-Scott chasing over what was a three round race but without success.

Simon Birchenough's timing at the start of the third and final race of the day was perfect; sadly for him he dropped to eighth place by the end of the three round race.

Start of Race 3 (6) on Sunday

No surprise, Mark lead the way from half way up the first beat. David lead the chasing fleet with Olly, Jo & Hugh and a gap to Raymond. On the second round Raymond moved into second ahead of David. Olly & Jo finished fourth and fifth but with mere seconds separating them.

Not the nicest of days; Sunday's drizzle probably affecting the Race officers more than the sailors! Particular thanks is due to Crispin Kenyon who was the mark layer and safety boat for both days.

With five firsts, Mark was the convincing winner of this year's Picnic Hamper; a 'trophy' presented by Philip Bown (who was the ARO on Saturday) in 2007 which Mark had won four times before.

The next Illusion weekend (20 & 21 December) is for the Christmas Cracker.

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail No	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	Pts
1	Mark Downer	164	1	1	1	2	1	1	5
2	Jo Downer	166	2	2	3	3	4	5	14
3	Raymond Simonds	165	4	3	4	R	3	2	16
4	Mike Toogood	142	3	4	2	S	S	S	37
5	David Russell‑Jones	155	S	S	S	8	2	3	41
6	Hugh Doherty	124	S	S	S	1	7	6	42
7	Olly Laughton‑Scott	80	S	S	S	7	5	4	44
8	Simon Birchenough	138	S	S	S	6	9	8	51
9	Mike Issiais	152	5	5	R	S	S	S	52
10	Richard Coleman	80 ®	S	S	S	5	10	10	53
11	Will Lowe	150	S	S	S	9	8	9	54
12	Monty Irwin	147	S	S	S	S	8	7	57
13	Ian Prideaux	136	S	S	S	4	S	S	60