ROUND THE ISLAND RACE

MARINA GUIDE

Organised by the Island Sailing Club, the Round the Island Race is an iconic one-day race around the Isle of Wight, which attracts competitors from around the world and is a must-do for many sailors of all abilities.

DID YOU KNOW? The first race took place in 1931 with 25 entries, following a suggestion from Island Sailing Club member Major Cyril Windeler for a handicap race around the Isle of Wight which could cater for smaller boats - those in the category 5 to 25 tons.

Hundreds of boats will pass the iconic Needles. Image: Paul Wyeth

Usually bringing in more than 1,500 boats and thousands of sailors, the Round the Island Race is one of the most iconic sailing events in the boating calendar with sailors competing to win up to 200 trophies. The most famous of these is, of course, the Gold Roman Bowl, which has been awarded to the overall winner of the race (now the IRC division) since the very first race back in 1931.

The famous 50nm course around the Isle of Wight begins at the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, before the fleet races westabout, to The Needles, round St Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, and back into the Solent to the finish line at Cowes.

Along with the thousands of sailors on the water, the day is renowned for the large numbers of spectators following the race from the many vantage points. These include Hurst Point and Gilkicker Point on the mainland and Ryde Pier, Ventnor and Chilton Chine on the island.

Unlike the days of old, both competitors and spectators can see fast

With many class and overall trophies, there are numerous opportunities to win. Image: Paul Wyeth

RACE DAY: 3 JULY

Entry: Standard entry period runs until 19 June. Late entry until 30 June. #RaceForAll / #RIR90years www.roundtheisland.org.uk

on-screen results flashed up on Event TV sites in Cowes or pick them up from around the world via the dedicated website and through social media.

Race for all With so many class and overall trophies, there are many opportunities to win, but for many it is simply the joy of taking part; proven by those who come back year after year to take part in what is one of the world’s largest sailing events. For some it is the only race they will enter this year, but alongside them will be celebrities and well-known names from the world of sailing and even first time racers. It is this ‘Race For All’ ethos that the organisers continue to embrace.

Talking about the day Dave Atkinson, race director, said: “The Island Sailing Club is extremely proud of our flagship event, particularly as it welcomes all types of sailors and boats, from first time racers and family cruisers to professional sailors.

“This is why our ethos of ‘A Race For All’ really comes alive, with all those participants competing side by side on the same race track.With the Island Sailing Club handicap system (ISCRS), which is a free system for entrants, boats who do not regularly race can be rated to take part.”

Inevitably in an event that welcomes all abilities, the finish times vary a great deal, as those who have taken part previously will know. Although the majority of the fleet take many hours to complete the course, the records stand at 3h 43m 50s for a monohull boat, set by Mike Slade on ICAP Leopard in 2013, and 2h 22m 23s for a multihull boat, set by Ned Collier Wakefield on Concise 10 in 2017.

Impact of Covid Last year the Round the Island Race was scheduled to take place on 30 May, but was moved to 26 September due to Covid-19. That would have been the first time in its long history that the race would have been held so late in the sailing year. In the end, however, the race, like so many others, did not take place. Coming back strong in 2021, at the time of writing there are already 794 entries for this year’s race.

Rob Peace, rear commodore for sailing, Island Sailing Club, said: “Sailors are desperate to get back out on their boats, and our race is perfectly timed and definitely provides a unique and thrilling experience for all of the crews. Over the past 90 years approximately 500,000 sailors and 70,000 boats have been challenged by this race - those are some impressive statistics!”

In terms of the impact, this year, of Covid restrictions, the organisers say: “While the UK Government’s roadmap out of lockdown suggests we will be able to run some of our usual social activities ashore, we are very mindful of the likely need to avoid large gatherings over the race weekend and for those taking part to observe all relevant guidelines and restrictions.”

The organisers have, therefore, set up an online Covid Checklist, which is being updated as necessary in line with changing restrictions.

New for 2021 Race organisers have introduced a new event this year for small keelboats, called the Windeler Cup, after the founder of the race. Instead of sailing the full 50nm course of the main race, boats from the Daring, Dragon, Etchells, Flying Fifteen, Mermaid, Redwing, Sunbeam, Swallow, Sonar, Squib, RS Elite, Victory and XOD classes will compete in a ‘Round the Solent’ race.

The race will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, around 08.30, after the main fleet is underway. It will follow a course towards Hurst Narrows, around Western Solent marks, before taking advantage of favourable tides to return along Cowes beach and finish back on the RYS line in Cowes.

The Windeler Cup will feature small keelboats. Image: Paul Wyeth

Also new for this year is the Round the Island Rowing Race. The teams, including The Bubbleheads, will set off on the afternoon of 1 July from the RYS start line in their ocean rowing boats, circumnavigating all 50nm around the Isle of Wight, in a bid to be the fastest.

Their offshore rowing boats are very similar in shape to the airdropped boats that were designed by the late Isle of Wight local Uffa Fox, and used in WW2 to save downed pilots afloat in the sea. Rowed by a mixture of doubles or fours they have wave piercing bows, a cabin forward and aft and three rowing positions midships.

Andrew Taw, The Bubbleheads navigator, said: “The ocean rowing teams feel privileged and honoured to be invited Official charity The official charity of the race, the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust plans to bring young people living through and beyond cancer back together again this summer. Trust CEO, Frank Fletcher, laid out their plans to take the Trust on tour across the UK, with the Round the Island Race being the first time they will get young people back on the water since 2019.

Frank said: “We are so grateful to be the official race charity again and it is great to have a boat entered in the Round the Island Race. This will act as a pre-season ‘test event’ for the extra safety and risk management controls.”

Next Year 25 June, 2022 - Mark the date in your diary for next year. Organisers aim for a Saturday in June when tides are most favourable, but this means race day can come in May or July if it is more suitable. Next year it is June!

to one of the greatest yachting regattas in the world. We hope to share our passion for the sea with the sailors participating and immerse ourselves in the rich history of the Round the Island Race. It provides us with valuable preparation for our Atlantic Challenge. Rowing around the island non-stop will enable all teams to practice night rowing, routines and planning their kit on board.”

Dave Atkinson, Round the Island race director, added: “The Round the Island Race and the ISC welcome the rowers to our event this year. It. has been clear to us during our conversations that they share our enthusiasm for our iconic event. It will be interesting to see how quickly they can complete the course and try to set a record for it.”