Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker 2024

After a relatively small fleet competing for the Christmas Cracker over the weekend, it was great to see 19 boats eager to start racing for the Icebreaker Trophy (the oldest Regatta in the Illusion programme dating back to 1982) on Monday.

Previous winners included Paul Newell, Rodney Pattison (1987 & 1989), Harold Cudmore (1999), Vernon Stratton (1988), four time winner Graham Sunderland and twenty three time winner Mark Downer. The Trophy is a framed print presented by the artist Cavendish Morton of three Illusions sailed by John Corby, John Cleave and designer Joe Richards. Apparently John Corby and Joe had sailed down from Cowes and it took them six and a half hours to get back home again!

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker 2024 - photo © Mike Samuelson

After two days of minimal breezes for the Christmas Cracker, the forecast was for a 10 knot SW'erly. However, frustratingly, it was still only about 5 knots when racing got under way ten minutes late at 10:10. With plenty of space in the harbour and as good a breeze in the harbour as just outside, the decision to stay inside was well received. After a clean start (just), it came as a slight surprise to see Richard Ambler reaching the windward marks ahead of Bruce Huber, however Bruce powered away on the run and during the second round established a significant lead. Rory Morrison was third, Mike Toogood was fourth and Alastair Speare-Cole fifth.

Start of Race 1 on Monday

Although strictly speaking Bill Daniels should have been called OCS as he endeavoured pull off a port flyer at the pin end of the line, it was such a brave move that he was given a Nelsonian 'All Clear'!

Start of Race 2 on Monday

Although Bill initially found himself leading the fleet on the run to the Leeward gate, this was soon changed as he was overtaken by Colin Simonds and eventually by Justin Biddle who made up a lot ground on the third round. Alastair was fourth and Bruce had to make do with fifth. As the sequence for the third race began, the sun appeared from behind the clouds which made sighting the start line quite tricky. With the Race Officers poised for a General Recall, in the event everyone held back and amazingly it was a clean start:

Start of Race 3 on Monday

Bruce again was out in front rounding the windward marks, however Mike T, Owen Pay, Colin and Mike Issiais were hot on his heels. However to little or no avail as he motored into an unchallengeable lead. That said, the challenging group had an excellent race and all finished pretty close together with Mike T taking second, Colin third, Alastair fourth and Simon Birchenough a very creditable fifth.

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker 2024 - photo © Mike Samuelson

With the forecast for the following day (Tuesday) looking rather windy, it was decided to run a fourth race just in case racing had to be cancelled. After a short pause while the pin was adjusted, the start saw Bill and Rosie Gosling trying, but failing, to snatch the lead by with a port tack flyer at the pin end. Both were called OCS and although Rosie was able to correct herself quite quickly, it took Bill a long time to cancel his OCS.

Start of Race 4 on Monday

In the meantime, Owen rounded the windward marks ahead of Colin, Simon, Justin Biddle and Bruce. Owen held his nerve and was still in the lead going into the third and final run to the leeward gate, however the latter switched on his 'engine' and motored into the lead to make it three wins out of four races. Colin was third again, and Justin was fourth. Simon had to make do with seventh after messing up at the start of the third round. As always, some very close racing through out the fleet with Bill, Andrew Eddy and Caroline tying in thirteenth place.

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker 2024 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Although there was certainly more wind on Tuesday morning, it was not as strong as had been forecast and so it was decided to try and get a further three races in. As expected, there were not so many takers, nevertheless enough (ten) to make it worth launching for. Unfortunately the Downers were hors de combat with flu. The first race of the day nearly started on time, albeit without Justin Biddle who only appeared well after the race had started. Mike T had a problem with his mainsail as the sequence counted down and was late as he approached from the 'on course' side of the line. Eighteen knots and some light rain provided a challenging start for the rest!

Start of Race 1 (5) on Tuesday

With the left side of the course definitely the way to go, first to round the windward marks was again Bruce who was followed quite closely by Hugh Doherty, Mike I and Alastair (all three with the same colour blue spinnakers!). Bruce consolidated his lead over the net two rounds chased by Mike I, Hugh and Alastair.

There was short delay in getting the second race of the day started after it was realized half way through the sequence that Sea Breeze was dragging her anchor!

Start of Race 2 (6) on Tuesday

Colin was first to the windward marks but Bruce was breathing down his neck and took over the lead by the time they reached the leeward gate. There was little to separate Hugh, Mike T, Justin and Alastair with Caroline up there until she had a senior moment and had to sort herself out after failing to cross inside the line to complete the second round. Although Mike T crossed the line in fifth place just ahead of Justin, it transpired that there had been an incident at the windward mark between the two of them which had resulted in the latter lodging a protest. After some meaningful discussion on the rules in the bar afterwards, Mike retired! Subsequently seeing what Chat GPT thought of the rights and wrongs was certainly interesting!

"Racing Rules of Sailing - a boat clear ahead on entering the zone on port tack wants to tack but has another boat also on port tack behind him. Is he allowed to tack so as to round the mark if it will result in the boat following having to change course to avoid a collision?"

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker 2024 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Although the third and final race saw quite a muddle at the pin end of the line, no one was actually pinged as OCS.

Start of Race 3 (7) on Tuesday

It was almost inevitable that Bruce rounded the windward marks in the lead, ahead of Alastair, Mike T, Owen and Caroline. Mike T managed to hold onto Bruce's coat tails and finished second not far behind. Colin, Owen and Mike I finished close together, as did Alastair, Hugh and Justin.

Conditions had been quite challenging (average windspeed 17 knots) so all credit to the ten helms who raced. With six wins out of seven races, Bruce was of course the overall winner (his fourth time over the years). Colin was second and Alastair was third.

Bembridge Illusion Icebreaker 2024 - photo © Mike Samuelson

Although the New Year's Day 'fun' race to BHYC tomorrow (Wednesday) has been cancelled because of the forecast strong winds, its the Flying Dutchman next weekend (4-5 January 2025).

Overall Results: