Round the Island Race - First entry news

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 3 Feb 2015 The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race organisers at the Island Sailing Club (ISC) opened entries on 9th January in tandem with publishing the Notice of Race in print and online. Entries are currently on target at 400 at the time of writing. This year's Race takes place on Saturday June 27th with a first start time scheduled for 0700.

Early bird entries close at midnight this Saturday, 7th February.

The first entry, always greeted with excitement by the Race admin team at the ISC, was announced as Zero II, Cowes Race School. Skipper James Gair, proudly commented:

'It's fantastic news that Zero II, Cowes Race School, is the first entry! The RTI is the best race of the season. I think this will be my 20th RTI Race and no two have been the same, from light wind drifts to exhilarating surfs. I love the race as it is open to all sailors, from amateurs to many of the world's best professionals, all on the same race course and all with a chance of winning. You can make it as tactical as you want or simply have a fun day keeping the Island on your left looking forward to the party in Cowes. Last year we won Class Zero and are very keen to do it again! Summer's on the way!'

Enter the Prize Draw & YOU could win a free entry!
There are two free entries to this year's Race waiting to be drawn by the Race organisers at the ISC. There's no time to waste, as the second draw takes place on February 6th. The third and final draw takes place on 6th March.

For details, terms and conditions and to enter, please click here

Haven Knox-Johnston sponsors The Seamanship Award 2015-2016
Race Partner Haven Knox-Johnston is the new sponsor of The Seamanship Award for the next two editions of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. The Seamanship Award has been associated with the Race for many years, recognising and paying tribute to acts of good seamanship on Race day; an outstanding action made by someone connected to the Race.

The Award nominations are open to all those involved in the Race, whether competitors, spectators, members of the emergency services, outside authorities or race officers, and nominations are judged by a group led by Dave Atkinson from ISC Race Management, the Commodore of the ISC and a representative from Haven Knox-Johnston.
Nominations are sent to the ISC following the Race and the Trophy will be awarded in September.

John Macaulay, Managing Director of Haven Knox-Johnston, comments, 'We are extremely proud to be sponsoring The Seamanship Award. Having been a Race Partner for the past 12 years, since 2003, we are always looking for new ways to be involved and support this great event. This type of award can often bring out the best in people for their actions not just because they are the fastest on the water.'

Half a ton of competitive fun
Mark Wynter, the new Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, will be on the Royal Yacht Squadron Platform in an official capacity this year rather than on board his Dubois half tonner Alchemist racing in the Round the Island Race.

'I have raced in the RTI every year (bar one) since 1977 when I raced my first boat 'Carte Blanche' amongst an unprecedented 569 starters! Since then I have raced 'Alchemist' and our best RTI result to date was in 1998 when we were 13th overall.

'My normal helmsman, Andrew Talbot, will be skipper and I shall be mopping a tear from my eye as they sail away from the RYS battlements I am sure!'

Ian Bowker (blue cap) and his crew racing High Hopes.

As the other regular Dubois half-tonner competing in the Round the Island Race against the ISC Commodore, we asked Ian Bowker, High Hopes, for his take on the Race.

'We keep a close eye on Alchemist. Both our boats are largely unmodified with original masts and, I believe, keels and rudders.

'We've done the last four RTIs in this boat, High Hopes, with a regular crew whose age averages just under 64 years. There's plenty of experience of this Race, of original Ton Cup events and offshore racing.

Our best RTI result, in an increasingly competitive Class 3C filled with quarter tonners, was fifth in class and 98th overall in the windy 2011 race, where we held a spinnaker from the Needles to Bembridge managing 15 knots down a wave off Freshwater.

Quite a contrast to the very calm race last year.

'At the start we were mid-line for clear air, which we managed to keep pretty well until Hurst. We were behind Alchemist who had stayed inshore, but after a dash inside the boilers at the Needles we headed out in search of wind. We appeared to have sailed around much of the inshore fleet as we approached St Catherine's, where from tracking we thought we were placed about 40th. Alchemist crossed behind us as she tacked out, and we should have tacked to cover and gone out further - an omission that cost us about an hour as the sea breeze filled in sooner offshore.

'We enjoy the variety, challenge and beauty of the Solent and the Island, as well as the atmosphere and spectacle created by the number of boats in the RTI. We're hoping that despite our age both crew and boat have many years left in them!'

The Island Sailing Club is grateful for the continued support of the Race Title Sponsor, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and the Race Partners: Dream Yacht Charter, Haven Knox-Johnston, Henri Lloyd, Old Pulteney, Raymarine, Volvo Car UK.