Illusion Match Racing at Bembridge Sailing Club
by Rudy Jurg 7 Feb 2011 19:14 GMT
5-6 February 2011
Illusion Match Racing at Bembridge © Rudy Jurg
Despite what some of the Illusion experts thought, it really was too windy on Saturday to sensibly contemplate Match Racing. The local weather station Chimet outside Chichester Harbour was consistent at 28 knots and the Bembridge Sailing Club weather station was showing a 25 knot average! However, conditions improved slightly on Sunday and with at least 5 knots less breeze it was decided to go ahead. So a reduced line up of twelve intrepid helms, six umpires & five Race Officers took to the water and raced in the lee of Fisherman's Pontoon. Although at times it was gusting 25 knots, five round-robin flights, semi finals and finals were completed before the tide dropped too far.
In the gusty conditions it was challenging to keep the boats afloat whilst keeping and eye out on starting procedures and stay in close contact with your opponents. Also keeping the main and jib trimmed whilst pumping out water was and endurance game and several boats could be seen sailing well below their waterlines.
After the first round robins, 8 sailors got send home which left 4 match racers to battle it our for the Illusion Match Racing Championship.
Bruce Huber was unbeaten in the round robins and easily beat Rupert Holmes in the first semi-final; Graham Bailey meanwhile had a good battle with Mark Downer in the other semi but came out 2-1 up. In the best of 3 final, Graham won the first race, but had to take a penalty in the 2nd which allowed Bruce to win on the line. The final race went to Graham who was able to control the race from the start and taking home the silverware. In the "petit" final, Rupert Holmes had a surprise win in the first race over Mark Downer but Mark powered through the last two races to take 3rd place.
Onboard videos by Graham Bailey