Illusion Nationals at Bembridge Sailing Club

by Rudy Jurg 23 Mar 2011 09:57 UTC 19-20 March 2011

Since the start of the Illusion season in October the class has enjoyed a very steady turnout of 20 plus boats for most events, this despite some cold conditions and water temperatures which felt colder than ever.

However with modern sailing kit it’s easier to stay warm and the cold has not stopped the enthusiasm to get out on the water. Competition has been though with some of the top Solent sailors in sharpening their skills in this one-design class.

A fleet of nearly 30 boats gathered last Saturday for the 2011 Illusion Nationals. They were greeted by beautiful sunshine and light winds sailing just of Silver Beach outside Bembridge Harbour. Unfortunately a steady breeze did not materialise and after 2 hours the fleet went back to shore – wind appeared just as the last boats were craned out.

As the Nationals need to consist of a minimum of 3 races with a maximum of 6 it was decided to at least sail 5 on Sunday. An even greater number of sailors turned up and wind varied from 6-12 knots with scattered windless patches which would catch out a few people. The race officer set a long course to spread the fleet out and avoid first weather mark pile ups. Bruce Huber showed he was keen, took the lead and take first place. In race two it was James Meaning who sailed of in the distance and he will be a force to be reckoned with in the XOD class which he normally sails judging by his top performances this year. In race three it was Raymond Simonds who had a great start and to his delight claimed first place for this race. He would repeat the same in race four. In the last race of the National Championship top position was still wide open.

Class Commodore Bruce Huber was on fire again after a previous race with an average result and took first place just beating Julia Bailey who had been sailing in front for most of the race.

However with only one discard it was crucial to sail a steady series. This Mark Downer did who regularly came from the middle of the fleet to sail to the front and winning the National Championship. One point behind was Raymond Simonds and in 3rd place was James Meaning. This being a National Championship additional prices were given out for 1st over 65 year old Philip Bown, 1st over 75 Philip Woodford, First Lady Sue Thomas and Most Improved was Colin Simonds.

With the Illusion season nearly drawing to a close there are only 3 more race weekends with the next being 2nd and 3rd of April.

Excellent footage of racing by Graham Bailey:

Race 2

Race 2 Finish

Race 3

Race 4

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail No	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Pts
1	Mark Downer	124	3	3	2	2	3	10
2	Raymond Simonds	23	6	5	1	1	4	11
3	James Meaning	31	7	1	3	5	7	16
4	Bruce Huber	101	1	12	12	3	1	17
5	Piers Thomas	107	4	19	4	6	9	23
6	James Axtell	131	13	4	11	4	5	24
7	Colin Simonds	986	2	7	5	16	16	30
8	Sue Thomas	155	8	14	6	8	D	36
9	Julia Bailey	157	11	9	21	15	2	37
10	Rudy Jurg	26	5	11	13	13	10	39
11	Rupert Holmes	47	10	13	10	18	8	41
12	Jo Downer	123	14	6	23	14	14	48
13	Graham Bailey	132	9	2	9	D	D	50
13	Alastair Speare-Cole	135	19	10	14	9	17	50
15	Justin Biddle	40	20	8	15	12	19	54
16	Philip Bown	130	22	18	8	11	18	55
17	Robert Holbrook	144	21	20	7	10	S	58
18	Richard Ambler	156	16	17	24	17	11	61
19	Philip Woodford	158	23	15	20	7	22	64
20	Nick Foden Patttinson	136	17	16	18	19	13	64
21	Andrew Christie	149	15	26	17	22	12	66
22	Robin Ebsworth	12	12	22	25	20	15	69
23	Andrew Millband	105	24	24	29	24	6	78
24	Carl Whitewood	??131	18	21	19	23	D	81
25	Mat Alexander	137	25	27	16	27	24	92
26	Kass Schmidt	47	28	25	22	26	20	93
27	Serena Gosling	122	26	23	27	21	23	93
28	David Franks	4	29	29	28	25	21	103
29	Laura Gosling	0	27	28	26	S	S	111