Illusion 8 Hour Race at Middle Nene Sailing Club
by Wilf Kunze 24 Jul 00:40 NZST
20 July 2024
A totally different sailing experience for F15 sailor Neil Bartholomey and Solo sailor Margaret Clements - Illusion 8 Hour Race at Middle Nene © David Livingstone
Following a concept introduced in 2022, the 8-Hour Race at Middle Nene SC is held in Illusion mini-keelboats, designed as a spectator event with a social get-together on the shore.
In this format, participating Illusion owners each head a team of three randomly chosen sailors who come from other fleets at MNSC as well as a number of invited guests from nearby clubs. Training is given beforehand to those sailors not familiar with the Illusion class.
This year's event, held on 20th July, was the biggest so far, with seven boats racing on a short triangular course within good sight of the clubhouse where specatators could follow their progress. In near perfect conditions with a light breeze from the south the race evolved, initially in a closely-fought competition which only in the later hours started to show some favourites.
Eventually 'Team 700', headed by Tony Wright, took the honours, closely followed by 'Team GT' with Illusion Inland Champion Matt Yallop as the lead skipper. Third was the previous years' winner 'Team 108' with Wilf Kunze as the team leader.
After eight hours on the water both racing teams and spectators joined in a cheerful prize-giving ceremony and a round of bubbly for all.
The visiting sailors from Broxbourne SC (also an Illusion-sailing club) and neighbouring Cransley SC praised the event for its very good atmosphere and enjoyable racing, already planning for the next 8-Hour Race to be held in July 2025.
Another keelboat event at Middle Nene SC is the planned Open Meeting for Mini-Keelboats on 9th/10th November 2024, where Illusions will be joined by the 2.4mR class. This will be the first time that both classes race alongside each other, highlighting the increased interest in these types of small but exciting craft.
Details of the Open Meeting will be published soon and for any questions please contact or visit the club website www.middlenenesc.co.uk