J.P. Morgan Asset Management extends race title sponsorship to 2014

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 13 Nov 2012 The Island Sailing Club (ISC), organisers of the annual Round the Island Race, is ecstatic to confirm that J.P. Morgan Asset Management has agreed to continue its sponsorship of the Round the Island Race for a further two years, through to 2014.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management has been title sponsor of the Race since 2005 and during this time has helped the Race celebrate its 80th year in 2011, introduce free tracking for all competitors and achieve a record entry of 1,908 boats, establishing it as the largest yacht race of its kind in the world.

Jasper Berens, Head of UK Funds Business, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, commented: 'We are now entering our ninth year sponsoring the Round the Island Race and are delighted we will be on board through to 2014. The charity aspect of this Race is really important to us with more than £500,000 raised in recent years. It's great to be a part of this fantastic event and we look forward to continue to work with the Island Sailing Club to develop the Race further.'

The Race organisers are also pleased to announce that after a successful two years as the sole Official Race Charity, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust will continue in this role for a further two years through to 2014. The charity, which was launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2003, takes young people in recovery from cancer and other serious illness on four day sailing trips to help rebuild their confidence. Over the last two years the Trust has raised over £100,000 through the official charity role.

Frank Fletcher, CEO of the Trust, said: 'The Trust is extremely grateful to be the Official Charity again. The money raised over the past two years has enabled us to take 200 young people on our four day sailing trips. We've also had 53 young people sailing with us in the Round the Island Race and we're looking forward to another two years with some really exciting plans ahead.'
Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust website

A textbook MOB rescue during 2012's J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, has earned Jeff Blue the Nautica Outstanding Seamanship Award 2012.

This year's Nautica Outstanding Seamanship Award winner is Jeff Blue owner of Espresso Martini, a Farr 45 that took part in the 2012 Race. Jeff and his crew undertook a difficult rescue in tough conditions and the panel of judges from Nautica, Britannia Events and the ISC was unanimous in selecting him as this year's recipient.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Dave Atkinson, ISC Race Management explains: 'In our opinion, Jeff demonstrated superb seamanship skills during this year's Race and judging by the nominations he received from other competitors, this is yet another very well-deserved Outstanding Seamanship Award. Whilst racing in the Needles channel in pretty rough conditions, he witnessed a crew member on another competitor's yacht fall overboard. Jeff immediately dropped sails and picked up the sailor in a textbook rescue, taking him on board before transferring him, still under difficult circumstances, to the RNLI lifeboat that was by this time standing by.'

In response Jeff said: 'On behalf of the crew on Espresso Martini we are delighted to have received this award. At the end of the day, safety at sea is of paramount importance and we were pleased to have played our part in this instance. The J.P. Morgan Round the Island Race is a fantastic event and we look forward to competing again in 2013.'

The Nautica Seamanship Award will be presented to Jeff on Saturday 12th January, the opening day of the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, on the Henri Lloyd stand (A112). Meanwhile, the Award itself is being re-branded the 'Timex Outstanding Seamanship Award' from 2013's Race in line with the company's global brand marketing strategy.

The Race website goes live to coincide with entries opening and the Notice of Race being available on 4th January 2013. Early Bird entry will remain open until midnight on Saturday 2nd February.

Next year's Race takes place on Saturday 1st June with a first class start of 0500hrs.
Round the Island website