Bembridge Illusion Christmas Cracker 2025

Can it really be Christmas Day in three days time? Where has the year gone? With a good forecast at last, it was a bit disappointing that there were only thirteen takers for the first day of this year's Christmas Cracker, however its still double figure one-design racing in the middle winter!

Although there are no moored boats in the harbour to constrain racing, a southerly breeze does mean that courses have be quite short, so it was decided to take the fleet out of the harbour to race. Initially the sea conditions were fine but as the morning wore on it became more challenging as the swell increased and maintaining boat speed became harder. After a clean start, most remained on starboard as they headed into the sun towards the windward marks off Silver Beach.

Start of Race 1 on Saturday

First round was James (Jockey) Wilson with Mark Downer a few boat lengths behind. Tim Lyle was third round with David Peerless close behind. As the race progressed Jockey extended his lead and Mark pulled away from the others. David went though the leeward gate in third but was beaten to the line by Olly Laughton-Scott. Tim and Jo Downer had a very close race which almost saw the tying for sixth place.

The start of the second race saw David, Will Lowe and one other pushing their luck and having to return to the pre-start side of the line.

Start of Race 2 on Saturday

Jockey lead the way for the majority of the race but on the third round Mark managed to overtake and hold him off on the short beat from the leeward gate to the finish. Jo was third a considerable way behind. Given that he had been OCS, David did well to finish in fifth.

Bembridge Illusions Christmas Cracker 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

The final race of the day saw a clean start with Jockey yet again the first to reach the windward marks. Owen Pay was second to round just ahead of Mark with Olly, John Birchenough and Jo doing their best to climb up the order.

Start of Race 3 on Saturday

Jockey extended his lead and was well ahead at the finish at the windward mark. Mark was second, Olly had another good race and was third ahead of John, Jo and Owen. Tricky conditions with the swell getting more confused which made it difficult to maintain boat speed.

Quite bouncy (during Race 3)

Sunday morning saw a few more boats joining the fray. Despite the very benign conditions, the forecast was for the ESE breeze to pick up so it was wisely decided to set the course up in the harbour. In the event a good move as sea conditions outside deteriorated quickly and by the end of the morning would not have been safe for the Illusions. After a clean start to the first race of the day and a long beat to the windward marks laid off the Redwing Quay, first round by a considerable distance was Mark. Jo was next but with Tim Lyle, Jockey and Monty Irwin close behind.

Start of Race 1 (4) on Sunday

Mark was not for catching and crossed the finish line after two rounds a long way ahead. Jo was a safe second and Monty third ahead of David and Owen who nearly tied for fourth.

Leeward gate during Race 1 on Sunday

Although a few boats got stuck at the pin end, overall it was another excellent start for the second race of the day.

Start of Race 2 (5) on Sunday

Mark was first to round the windward marks but was not quite as far ahead as he had been in the previous race. Jockey lead the chasing fleet that included Mike I, David, Alastair Speare-Cole and Alex Downer. With each round taking an average of twenty eight minutes it was another two round race. Mark finished well ahead, Monty was second and Jockey was third.

Bembridge Illusions Christmas Cracker 2025 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Two boats were OCS at the start of the third and final race of the day. Both came back and all credit to David who caught up to fourth place by the end of the two and a half round race. As an experiment the recently introduced SI that, when Flag R was displayed, placed the St Helens side of the line of red channel buoys effectively as 'out of bounds' was signalled. After a quick verbal reminder and confident that everyone understood what was planned, the third and final race of the day got under way with Jockey and Jo both OCS. Jo was able to circle round the pin pretty quickly but it took Jockey a bit longer to get back. In the meantime Mark lead the fleet to the windward marks and looked secure to pick up his third win of the day.

Start of Race 3 (6) on Sunday

David, Mike T and Alex lead the chasing fleet with Alex finding the extra pace on the final beat to the finish at the windward mark and took second with Jockey who had a lot of round to make up after being OCS, coming third ahead of David and Mike T who finished inches apart.

With four wins and two second places, Mark won this year's 'Cracker'; Jockey was second and David P was third.

Racing continues with the Flying Dutchman Trophy on Monday and Tuesday with a 'young helms' one day Regatta on Wednesday.

Overall Results: