WITH Saturday’s forecast suggesting it was going to be as windy as the previous day, there were only 14 eager sailors racing for the Icebreaker Trophy — the oldest regatta in Bembridge Sailing Club's Illusion programme, dating back to 1982.
Although it was still averaging more than 20-plus knots wind speeds, the course was set further into the harbour, making sea conditions considerably easier to cope with than they were last Friday.
The first race saw a clean start and the fleet quickly split on the beat — Bruce Huber first round the windward mark and spreader, with big race rival Mark Downer hot on his heels.
Mark's wife, Jo, was up there too and, sensibly, she decided not to fly her spinnaker, leaving it to others to risk broaching in the 25-knot gusts.
On the second round, Huber consolidated his lead.
Mark Downer was first round the windward marks in the second race, with Huber and others not far behind.
Despite his best efforts, Huber had to be content with second.
The third start saw most boats again stacked up on one end of the start line, but Downer again led at the windward marks, with Huber moving up to second as the race unfolded.
With Sunday’s forecast not looking promising, a fourth race to allow the discard to kick in was run.
Downer again led the way — but he didn't have it all his own way, with Huber never far away.
"There was some challenging racing, but yet again, the Illusion fleet demonstrated their ability to race in 20 knots in the middle of winter," said one of the race organisers.
Sunday’s racing was cancelled, which left Downer picking up the Icebreaker Trophy for a record 23rd time!
Huber, another multiple winner of the trophy, came second, with Jo Downer coming third.
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.
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