AN EXPLOSIVE display of sailing by Raymond Simonds led to his victory in last weekend's popular Guy Fawkes Trophy event. 

After another week of heavy showers and some strong winds, conditions on Saturday were almost perfect, with bright sunshine and a F2-3 breeze. 

With the prospect of 20 boats and enough water for three races, the fleet headed outside Bembridge Harbour to race on a course off Silver Beach. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Guy Fawkes Trophy winner Raymond Simonds, centre, flanked by runner-up Mar Downer, left, and Bruce Huber. Guy Fawkes Trophy winner Raymond Simonds, centre, flanked by runner-up Mar Downer, left, and Bruce Huber. (Image: Mike Samuelson)

Mark Downer was second to round the windward mark, with Bruce Huber, the eventual winner of the first race, ahead of him, with Simonds pushing up to finish second. 

The second race was led initially by Olly Laughton-Scott and Tiger Tellright — but their lead was whittled away by Downer, Simonds and Huber, who finished in that order, to set up an intriguing third race.

Before the start of the third race, the fleet observed a minutes' silence at 11am in remembrance for the Fallen. 

The final race of the day saw Owen Pay lead the way, closely followed by the 'hot three'. 

Any of them could have won, had it only been a two-round race, but in the third round, Huber got away and finished well ahead of Pay at the line.

The rain held off on Sunday morning for 16 enthusiastic sailors. 

With sea conditions outside the harbour "quite bumpy" amid the overnight F3 breeze, the course up inside a virtually empty (of moored boats) harbour.

The first race saw Simonds make an excellent start before picked up a lifting wind shift, which gave him a handsome lead at the windward mark and he finished the clear winner. 

In lighter airs, the second race, which Downer won, with Simonds second, was stopped after two rounds for a planned two minutes' silence, after which, sailor David Peerless recited the Ode of Remembrance, For the Fallen.

The third race to the windward mark — relaid after the wind veered 25 degrees — saw the lead change hands a few times, with Simonds taking line honours. 

With five out of the first six races to count for the Guy Fawkes Trophy, Simonds beat Downer by a points to claim the Guy Fawkes Trophy, with Huber third.