Bembridge Keelboat Weekend Racing

by Mike Samuelson & Andrew Eddy 10 May 22:22 PDT 8-10 May 2026

The second weekend of the season, which like the first one, was plagued by the weather, with Sunday's F5 NE'erly making the moorings at Under Tyne unsafe for crews to board their boats which meant it was an N over A.

Friday 8 May by Mike Samuelson

Friday evening three Redwings joined in the Friday Night Challenge race and in the event had a fun race. The start saw all three close to the line however it was not long before Harlequin (Xander Shaw) and Tara (Mike Toogood) left Redwing (Nick Woolgar) in their wake. Having started at Under Tyne, the first beat took them to Tara; Harlequin and Tara took the inshore route and Redwing kept offshore in the hopes of a miracle! Harlequin rounded just ahead and despite best efforts by Tara on the run to Garland, held onto first place for the rest of the two round race. Indeed by the finish back at Under Tyne, Xander had extended his lead to over half a minute. There were no One-Designs.

Start of Friday evening's race:

Saturday 9 May by Andrew Eddy

With the wind in the East and a forecast of 10-16 knots, the Race Officers Andrew Eddy and Jonathan Nainby Luxmoore displayed the red flag after the Risk Assessment was completed.

Having reminded all the sailors that the Red flag obliged them to wear lifejackets and ensuring a safety boat was in place, the ROs headed out and anchored at Janson.

Six Redwings and one One-Design sauntered over from Undertyne to the start line as there was barely 5 knots of breeze. The only One-Design, No 9, was helmed by Penny Stanley and crewed by James Petit. The course set was Janson, Fitzwilliam to port, Janson twice round. This provided a pleasant afternoon afloat for them and some amusement as to which way to pass Janson at the finish after 44 minutes of "competition". They then returned to Undertyne before "their second race".

Though few in number the Redwing fleet comprised a wide array of sailors. With the wind nearly East a course of Janson, Fitzwilliam to port, Derrick to port and Janson was finally set.

But only after a dalliance by the ROs with Britten as the leeward mark... which was cut short when one competitor helpfully commented that it was not actually in position yet for the season!

The start was quite prudent by all. Led by Victoria Wilson helming Quail and Colin Samuelson helming Toucan most boats headed left on the course though Xander Shaw went right to be followed there by Oliver Morgan in Prawn. During the upwind they match raced each other until joined by all the other boats now going to the right. At the top mark, Toucan was ahead of Quail by four boat lengths. Despite the gentle rolling of the chaser, the position was unchanged at the finish with Toucan winning by 90 seconds after 42 minutes of racing. The order behind was unchanged from the windward mark to the finishing line with Tara 3rd, Harlequin 4th, Prawn 5th and Redwing - Nick Woolgar and Beetle Cole - 6th.

By the time of the start of the second race the various course options available at Janson enabled a change of course to be posted at the beginning of the starting sequence and during the race itself.

The course sailed was Janson, Fitzwilliam to port, Janson to port, Moreton to starboard, finishing at Pepe. With the breeze now in double figures everything was happening much more quickly and timely sail management began to play a much bigger part in each boats' fortunes especially at the turning marks. Sadly Redwing had a gear failure (mainsail clew) and retired during the race.

The start was very clean with Harlequin timing it just right (very) close to Sea Breeze (the committee boat)! With the first upwind leg quite familiar, the racers kept close together except for Tara who felt "hard left" would pay off. Toucan reached the top mark first with Quail, now helmed by Jockey Wilson not far behind.

By the time the competitor's returned to Janson the wind was up and the course was changed to Moreton as the windward mark. Toucan had some difficulties changing into upwind mode at the leeward mark and Quail slinked round inside so as to be windward of her on the port tack. At Moreton it was quite bumpy in Sea Breeze, now in spectator mode. With the turn at the mark being to starboard, some care by the downwind boats was needed to avoid the approaching close hauled competitors. Toucan had held onto Quail with may be only a two boat margin... which made the mark rounding interesting for Jockey.

The three remaining boats were all bunched together. Harlequin, slightly ahead had found better form and was third. Prawn and Tara meanwhile, were neck and neck at the mark with the former having rights. Tara duly took a great circle outside path and together they chased each other down to the finish. Meanwhile, Toucan, known for its great speed especially down wind, was keeping close to Quail who resolutely stayed on the Toucan's course even though it was not the shortest distance to the finish. At the finish after 43 minutes of competition, Quail was first, twenty seconds ahead of Toucan. Harlequin was third three minutes after the leader. Prawn and Tara tussled all the way down the run to the finish. There was less than a second between them at the finish. Tara was 4th and Prawn 5th. What great racing!

Sunday 10 May by Mike Samuelson

Armed with a strong wind forecast and no ultra keen sailors, the decision to display N over A just after lunch was well received! Late morning tides next weekend so fingers crossed for some more 'champagne conditions' for everyone to enjoy.