F/F Round the Island Race 9 th May 2026 for The Basil Ellis Trophy

What a grand afternoon out on the water! With recent winds either very light or too strong, it was a real pleasure to be launching with a light to moderate breeze and bright sunshine, albeit yet another easterly. Race officer John Lyons selected an ideal course to match the tide and wind direction, keeping the modest fleet of 13 boats reasonably bunched for a good portion of the race.

Clockwise was the call, with Our Kid (P), RoRo (P), NC2 (S), XRAmy (S), THE GREEN POST(S) and Webley Heating (S) the primary course, followed by a couple of loops between Our Kid (P) and Webley Heating  (S) as required.

4101, Crispin and Mark (substituting for Steve B), had a brilliant start, slipping through a gap the width  of Flying Fifteen plus 1cm at pace, to lead at Our Kid with 4114, Richard and Jack, close behind. The run down to RoRo, a mark that is the scruffiest looking race mark in the harbour and consequently very easy to recognise, proved uneventful until the final approach. Most of the fleet appeared to arrive at the same time, thanks to pressure from above allowing several boats to soak down with an overlap. Ian and Michael in 4115 sneaked through just behind 4114 and 4101, with 4054, Andy and Simon, somewhere in the mix too.

With everyone so bunched and what became a tricky beat to NC2, place changes were in abundance. The final significant throw of the dice being the decision when to cross the main channel for the final approach to the mark. Too early for some, too late for others, with good fortune befalling a few such as 3793 (Jo and I), crossing in lifting pressure, tacking on a header 75 yards from the mark and now on the lay line, once again in lifting pressure. The first four boats round were 4114, 4115, 4101 and 3793, with a gap to the chasing group led by 4054.

The fetch to XR Amy was straightforward, however, the spinnaker leg to THE GREEN POST proved more interesting and we had a few Dolphins to look out for too. Trying to decide on the best course to keep in the breeze and not straying into shallow waters, whilst making best use of the boats in front as guides, is always a challenge for this race. Although the place changing was not significant, the concertina effect always keeps everyone honest and having to concentrate, not forgetting the opportunity to enjoy the scenery too.

With the fleet emerging from behind Green Island, it proved possible to hold the kite all the way to Webley Heating, on what became a VERY tight reach in gusty conditions, exaggerated by the land effect of Brownsea Island. On board 3793, we managed to sneak over 4101 into third, whilst 4054 had a storming leg to close right up on 4101.
Following that spinnaker reach and 1hr 45mins of racing, a shortened course was signalled and welcomed by all! 4114 held off 4115 and 4054 almost sneaked through 4101 at the finish.

Congratulations to Richard and Jack, and to John and his team for such a great race.

Spare a thought for Peter Biggs on 3901. Apparently, a green channel post attacked his favourite spinnaker on the way to Webley Heating, and although the subsequent venting may have made the sheet easier to hold on to, it did not prove to be any quicker. Fingers crossed for a good repair Peter.

For many of us fortunate to have been members for some time, trophy races bring back fond memories of those in whose name we race. Basil was a founding member of the class, a skilful sailor and tireless volunteer for the club. For many years he gave up his own sailing, and Sunday mornings, to be the Winter Series Race Officer, taking great care to provide good racing for everyone, which was always appreciated.

Results
 
4114 Richard & Jack
4115 Ian & Michael
3793 Pete & Jo
4101 Crispin & Mark
4054 Andy & Simon
4019 Steve & Huw
4020 Graham & Ben
3936 Mike & Wolfie
3966 Richard & Alan
3901 Peter & Yung
4027 Mike & Pete
3643 Luke & Sam
3971 David & Frances

Pete Allam