THE pairing of Bruce Huber and Ed Peel proved too much for the opposition in a keenly fought inter-club team Illusions race weekend at Bembridge. 

In a light drizzle and a Force 3-4 breeze, conditions were also perfect for the 16 entries at Bembridge Harbour on Saturday.

Once there was enough water over the central sandbank, the first of seven flights got underway.

Flight 1 saw the stronger teams winning, with the Royal Yacht Squadron's (RYS) Huber and Peel beating the Army Sailing Association (ASA) pair of Peerless and Snell. 

The Sea View Yacht Club team of Ray Simonds and Tiger Tellwright beat the Bembridge SC #1 team of Mark and Jo Downer, who inexplicably held back from crossing the finish line when a win looked certain.    

Flight 4 saw the ASA team beat BSC #1, after a tactical misunderstanding near the finish.   
In the key match between the RYS and BSC #1 teams, Peel lost his steering, and thus the match.   
Simonds (SVYC) received a black flag which meant another win for the RYS team.  

Isle of Wight County Press: Illusion racing in Bembridge Harbour last weekend.Illusion racing in Bembridge Harbour last weekend. (Image: Mike Samuelson)

In the day's final flight, Peel was re-boated in a Downer boat and took the RYS tally to six wins. 
Similar, but drier weather for Sunday’s racing, attracted just six teams.     

Flights 1 and 2 saw first and second place wins by BSC #1 and RYS respectively. 

RYS responded by winning Flight 3 over BSC #1.

In the penultimate flight, RYS was well ahead of CCCA when Peel’s main halyard came undone and he had to complete the last leg and a bit under just his Genoa.    

Although they were all close races, the final flight saw BSC #1 beat RYS.

Combining both days' scores, RYS and BSC #1 were put ingto a best of three final.   

But Huber and Peel proved too consistent for the Downers to become team racing champions.