2015 Round the Island Race - The makings of a perfect day
by Rupert Holmes on 27 Jun 2015
As well as some of the world’s latest and fastest racing yachts, the first start also included magnificent classics, including the 160ft schooner Eleonora and the 104 year old Mariquita. Chris Boynton
http://www.chrisboynton.co.uk/
The 16,000 competitors – both amateurs and professionals – in this year’s J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race have been assembling in the early morning light to make their final preparations for this annual nautical extravaganza.
The first start, for the biggest and fastest monohulls, including Mike Slade’s multiple record breaking 100ft supermaxi Leopard and the stunning modern classic 160ft schooner Eleonora, got away on schedule at 0700 in a north-westerly breeze of eight - twelve knots and bright sun.
A ridge of high pressure pushing in from the southwest should ensure it remains beautifully sunny for most of the day, with the breeze increasing through the morning to give a moderate to strong south westerly by midday. This will make for perfect conditions for the 1,584 boats taking part in this year’s race.
The next hour will see the main bulk of the fleet starting, with the density of yachts filling the western Solent gradually increasing until the waters are packed with yachts. However, by 0800 the front runners will need to be well past the Needles at the western extremity of the Isle of Wight if they are to have any hope of breaking the race records that were set two years ago.
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