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Round the Island Race at Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club

by Lee Marriott & Mark Jeffrey 16 Sep 2013 09:21 PDT 7 September 2013

The Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club held their annual Round the Island Race on 7th September 2013. The race is a long established, this being the 55th year it has been held. Sailed clockwise around the island, starting and finishing at IOS Sailing Club, the race is a long distance event designed to test the sailing skills and endurance over a 40-mile course, including tidal sea, river & estuary sailing. The event is also the longest dinghy and board race in Europe, and should not be confused with some 24 hour races, which allow for a change of helm and crew. The event was also the YachtsandYaching.com #GetOutAndSail event winner for September.

Many classes used the race as part of their annual series, the Osprey & Dart 18 classes being most prominent; by the time the final start was away at 12:00 the wind had increased to a force 5 gusting 6 which proved to much for some competitors and made the six mile close reach/beat very tiring as it was all on one tack.

Once at the eastern end of the island the wind did not relent and the split of the Thames Estuary and the Swale made for an horrendous chop. Waves broke every few seconds just as the gusts hit and made for very slow progress. Many described the sail round as "grueling", but once in the flat waters between the island and main land made for some spectacular speeds in strong winds and very flat water.

As the fleet passed through Queenborough, (which saw the Clipper Round the World yachts moor just a week before), all that was left was the tricky Garrison Point and the home straight. Passing through the line and getting the hooter was a relief. The race was challenging, enduring and highly rewarding, a real tick in the box of life!

98 competitors entered and 84 completed the course, including 3 paddle-boarders who set off at 7am! Honours this year went to Dart 18 World Champion Dan Norman, an IOSSC member, who finished first on PY with a very creditable elapsed time of 2:10:35. Special mention should be made of 13 year old Joe Baker, who won the prize for first under-16 helm, and finished 5th overall on PY in a Dart 18 with dad Roger as crew.

More photos available on the Champion Marine Photography website.

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Many thanks to our supporters!

A huge thank-you to our ten #GetOutAndSail partners; Crewsaver, Gul, Harken, International Paint, Navigators & General, Noble Marine, Ovington Boats, Rooster Sailing, Seldén Masts and Wildwind. Without them this initiative simply wouldn't be possible. It is their belief in #GetOutAndSail which will drive it forward and hopefully get more people out on the water.

#GetOutAndSail - Supporting grass-roots sailing

IOS Round the Island Race 2013 Results:

Pos Helm/Crew Class Sail No Club Rating Start Finish Elapsed Corrected
1 Dan Norman/Mel Rogers Dart 18 7788 IOSSC 805 12:00:00 14:10:35 02:10:35 02:42:13
2 Tim Harris/Claire Spendley Dart 18 7712 IOSSC 805 12:00:00 14:22:50 02:22:50 02:57:26
3 Kevin Dutch Sprint 15 DX 1733 Seasalter SC 817 12:00:00 14:29:06 02:29:06 03:02:30
4 Simon Conway/Rich Sheridan 29er 134 DSWC 922 11:30:00 14:18:47 02:48:47 03:03:04
5 Joe Baker/Roger Baker Dart 18 7000 IOSSC 805 12:00:00 14:29:08 02:29:08 03:05:16
6 Mike Coleman/Katie Blake Dart 18 7675 Tankerton Bay SC 805 12:00:00 14:32:41 02:32:41 03:09:40
7 Ian Priest/Mike Stoddart Fireball 14909 Scaling Dam SC 975 11:30:00 14:36:31 03:06:31 03:11:18
8 John Day/Jess Day Dart 18 7755 IOSSC 805 12:00:00 14:34:21 02:34:21 03:11:44
9 Dan Gaines-Burrill/Lucy Priest Fireball 14797 Scaling Dam SC 975 11:30:00 14:39:16 03:09:16 03:14:07
10 Tim Kift/Jo Wicken Alto* 4193 Wilsonian SC 925 11:30:00 14:30:30 03:00:30 03:15:08
11 Chris Gregory/Pete Blake Dart 18 6946 Tankerton Bay SC 805 12:00:00 14:37:56 02:37:56 03:16:11
12 Mark Robson/Kerra Pearce Dart 18 7677 IOSSC 805 12:00:00 14:38:45 02:38:45 03:17:12
13 Mick Greenland/Lee Marriott Osprey 1322 IOSSC 944 11:30:00 14:37:55 03:07:55 03:19:04
14 Alex Willis/Nick Willis Osprey 1291 Hayling Island SC 944 11:30:00 14:39:15 03:09:15 03:20:29
15 Robby-Jon Garcka/Emily Burley Dart 18 1829 Barton's Point CP 805 12:00:00 14:41:26 02:41:26 03:20:32
16 Tom Coley Contender 644 Hythe & Saltwood SC 982 11:30:00 14:47:42 03:17:42 03:21:19
17 Brian Whitmey Contender 2303 Bough Beech SC 982 11:30:00 14:48:26 03:18:26 03:22:04
18 Russell Wheeler/Jonathan Osgood Osprey 1341 IOSSC 944 11:30:00 14:40:55 03:10:55 03:22:15
19 Chris Ashby/Ian Parris Alto* 117 Wilsonian SC 925 11:30:00 14:37:32 03:07:32 03:22:44
20 Pete Barlow Blaze 258 Burghfield SC 1032 11:00:00 14:30:14 03:30:14 03:23:43
21 Christopher Phillips/Stephen Barnes Dart 18 316 South Bank SC 805 12:00:00 14:45:14 02:45:14 03:25:16
22 John Clementson/Melanie Titmus Scorpion 2019 Chipstead 1044 11:00:00 14:34:31 03:34:31 03:25:29
23 Alastair Forrest Catapult 524 Catapult Assoc 861 12:00:00 14:57:18 02:57:18 03:25:55
24 Derek Darley/David Jolley Sprint 15 GTI (2 crew/2 sails) 1991 IOSSC 930 11:30:00 14:41:39 03:11:39 03:26:05
25 Martin Payne/Tim Hand Icon* 15 Sutton in Ashfield SC 1020 11:30:00 15:00:38 03:30:38 03:26:30
26 Keith Robson Dart 18 4520 IOSSC 805 12:00:00 14:47:16 02:47:16 03:27:47
27 Robin Harris/Steph Godwin Dart 18 7068 IOSSC 805 12:00:00 14:47:19 02:47:19 03:27:51
28 David Chamberlain/Christine Ernsted Laser 2000 (standard) 21924 Benflleet YC 1090 11:00:00 14:46:55 03:46:55 03:28:11
29 Tony Alexander Sprint 15 (1 person) 1406 Seasalter SC 918 11:30:00 14:41:27 03:11:27 03:28:33
30 Bruce Eveleigh/Alan Shrimplin Hurricane 5.9 376 Creeksea SC 729 12:00:00 14:33:24 02:33:24 03:30:26
31 Pete Cailes/Paul Hammond Weta 125 UK Weta Assoc 950 12:00:00 15:19:55 03:19:55 03:30:26
32 Oliver Scott/Tom Mitchell 29er 79 Erith YC 922 11:30:00 14:44:11 03:14:11 03:30:37
33 Gary Kinch/Jackie Kinch Laser II 9179 Pevensy Bay SC 1035 11:00:00 14:38:34 03:38:34 03:31:11
34 Neil Crossouard Laser 189111 Hill Head SC 1087 11:00:00 14:49:37 03:49:37 03:31:14
35 Phil Sheppard Laser 167977 Aylesbury SC 1087 11:00:00 14:50:17 03:50:17 03:31:51
36 Dean Ralph/Simon Jones Cherub 3208 IOSSC 920 11:30:00 14:44:57 03:14:57 03:31:54
37 Paul Carter/Anthony Keam Dart 18 4871 805 12:00:00 14:52:08 02:52:08 03:33:50
38 Andy Hockey/Lucy Hockey Laser 2000 (standard) 21914 Wilsonian SC 1090 11:00:00 14:53:08 03:53:08 03:33:53
39 Matt Fowler/Greg Cox Laser 2000 (standard) 21672 Pevensy Bay 1090 11:00:00 14:53:30 03:53:30 03:34:13
40 Richard Metcalfe/Matt Love Osprey 1155 Wilsonian SC 944 11:30:00 14:54:22 03:24:22 03:36:29
41 Janet Ritchie/Alan Ritchie Scorpion 2005 Chipstead 1044 11:00:00 14:48:03 03:48:03 03:38:26
42 Chris Goymer/William Bell Spitfire 144 IOSSC 709 12:00:00 14:34:56 02:34:56 03:38:31
43 John Mills/Carolyn Mills Osprey 1340 Shoreham 944 11:30:00 14:56:59 03:26:59 03:39:16
44 Steve Bailey/Simon Limb Albacore 5881 Nottingham SC 1055 11:00:00 14:52:16 03:52:16 03:40:09
45 Dave Snutch/Peter Hardy Scorpion 2000 Notts County SC 1044 11:00:00 14:50:08 03:50:08 03:40:26
46 Toby Peacock Blaze 604 Chew Valley SC 1032 11:00:00 14:49:13 03:49:13 03:42:07
47 Peter Curl Solo 5167 Chipstead 1150 10:30:00 14:46:00 04:16:00 03:42:37
48 Nik Antoniades/Felix Hockey Laser 2000 (standard) 2305 Wilsonian SC 1090 11:00:00 15:05:05 04:05:05 03:44:51
49 Stewart Pegum Sprint 15 Sport (1 person, 2 sails) 1918 Oxford 860 12:00:00 15:13:55 03:13:55 03:45:29
50 Ian Rumble/John Bright Snipe 30048 Blue Circle SC 1117 11:00:00 15:15:18 04:15:18 03:48:34
51 Nick Gascoigne/Graham Reed Prindle 15 8089 Banbury Cross 888 12:00:00 15:23:08 03:23:08 03:48:45
52 Darren Layton/Michael Guest Topaz Xenon 4218 Earlswood Lakes SC 1079 11:00:00 15:07:24 04:07:24 03:49:17
53 Chris Abbott RS Vareo 574 Nottingham SC 1052 11:00:00 15:04:01 04:04:01 03:51:57
54 David Oakley/Quentin Bas-Green 505 1317 902 11:30:00 14:59:37 03:29:37 03:52:23
55 Peter Deeming/Martin Cragg Laser 2000 (standard) 2903 Weir Wood 1090 11:00:00 15:13:26 04:13:26 03:52:30
56 Mark Coldham/Kevin Downard Laser 2000 (standard) 22006 Wilsonian SC 1090 11:00:00 15:14:13 04:14:13 03:53:14
57 Roger Bennett/Lesley Sarjantson RS 400 1021 Silverwing SC 947 11:30:00 15:15:56 03:45:56 03:58:35
58 Roland Thorpe/Fred Rayment Miracle 1645 Pevensy Bay 1200 10:30:00 15:17:38 04:47:38 03:59:42
59 Nick Gallwey Solo 4434 Bough Beech SC 1150 10:30:00 15:05:43 04:35:43 03:59:45
60 Stuart Shields/Andre Newman 470 850 Bewl Valley 973 11:30:00 15:24:05 03:54:05 04:00:35
61 Alan Cook Laser 158546 Wilsonian SC 1087 11:00:00 15:24:40 04:24:40 04:03:29
62 Mark Fletcher/Terry Babbs 420 51882 Hertford County SC 1100 11:00:00 15:29:11 04:29:11 04:04:43
63 Mark Thomas/Colin Gibson Merlin Rocket (sn 500-894, +80) 642 Hertford County YC 1074 11:00:00 15:23:28 04:23:28 04:05:19
64 Paul Engelmann/Katy Engelmann RS 400 1240 Silverwing SC 947 11:30:00 15:23:32 03:53:32 04:06:36
65 Jeff Barber/Dudley Matthews 420 50363 IOSSC 1100 11:00:00 15:31:33 04:31:33 04:06:52
66 Trever Buzzard/Stuart Moore Laser Bahia 517 Banbury Cross 1093 11:00:00 15:29:57 04:29:57 04:06:59
67 M Calver/M Norris Laser 2000 (standard) 2365 Alexandra YC 1090 11:00:00 15:31:04 04:31:04 04:08:41
68 Paul Farr/Robert Farr ISO 1157 HCYC 924 11:30:00 15:21:19 03:51:19 04:10:21
69 Peter Howlett/Nigel Filmer Laser Bahia 510 Banbury Cross SC 1093 11:00:00 15:38:32 04:38:32 04:14:50
70 Paul Doyle/Jim Thomas Merlin Rocket (sn 3157-3330, +30) 3248 Hertford County YC 1024 11:30:00 15:51:38 04:21:38 04:15:30
71 Liz Faulkner/J Falkner/J Spall Topper Omega 3956 Hertford County YC 1075 11:00:00 15:42:18 04:42:18 04:22:36
72 John Rees/James Sneddon Kestrel 582 1040 11:00:00 15:33:50 04:33:50 04:23:18
73 Alex Thomas/Rebecca Scott Wayfarer 10851 Shadwell Basin 1101 11:00:00 15:50:54 04:50:54 04:24:13
74 Philip Bergquist/Helen Pridmore Laser 2000 (standard) 21131 Silverwing SC 1090 11:00:00 15:50:52 04:50:52 04:26:51
75 Darren Horton/Ken Jarrad RS 400 923 KGSC 947 11:30:00 15:57:40 04:27:40 04:42:39
76 Ken Brown/Chris Butters Osprey 1338 IOSSC 944 11:30:00 16:00:16 04:30:16 04:46:18
77 Chris Hore/Adam Prebble Laser Vago XD Rig (2 ppl) 182 Hampton Pier YC 1064 11:00:00 16:05:31 05:05:31 04:47:08
78 John Jeffery/John Goldfinch Mirror 13700 1385 10:30:00 17:40:00 07:10:00 05:10:28
79 Chris Bartington/James Stimpson Enterprise K18568 1117 11:00:00 16:52:46 05:52:46 05:15:49
80 Paul Jarrett/Robert Grantham Laser II 8128 Grafham Water SC 1035 11:00:00 16:34:32 05:34:32 05:23:13
81 John Rivers/Craig Longman Graduate 2982 Seasalter SC 1141 10:30:00 17:27:05 06:57:05 06:05:33
82 Ian Phillips Paddleboard 1000 07:00:00 15:55:12 08:55:12 08:55:12
83 Julia Haggy Paddleboard 1000 07:00:00 15:55:50 08:55:50 08:55:50
84 Jay Manning Paddleboard 1000 07:00:00 16:10:57 09:10:57 09:10:57

www.iossc.org.uk/islandrace

An Alto's view on the Round the Isle of Sheppey Race (by Jo Wicken)

Two Altos - 117 Chris Ashby/Ian Parris and 119 Tim Kift/Jo Wicken - entered the 55th Round the Isle of Sheppey Race on 7th September. The forecast was for a steady 18 mph, S-SW. Monohulls with PYs under 1030 took the third start at 11.30 a.m. and for the first 20 minutes enjoyed a fast kite reach down the Thames Estuary. With more south than south-west in the wind it was down with the spinnaker and a two-sail reach to the end of the island. There was so much spray from the waves and later both helms reported that they hadn't been able to see a thing all the way down!

The comforting thought was that the conditions would flatten out once into the Swale. Er...no! Instead huge waves rolled out of the river, far worse than those along the Estuary. Picking the right moment to tack was the difference between surviving and capsizing. This continued well into the river as far as Harty Ferry. Sailors who dared take the inshore channel made good distance over those who, having positioned themselves south of the Horse Sands, had to continue in the main channel.

There after it was back to fast two-sail reaching. 119, having trouble spotting the channel markers, took a more northerly course. Luckily it was almost high water so there was sufficient depth to get away with it, and when the correct headland, rather than the bay, was located, there was just enough angle to be able to sail close-hauled and avoid having to tack back for the proper channel.

As the river bent northwards, there was an opportunity for the kite again, towards the Kingsferry Bridge. As required by the race rules, everyone had to take their turn, capsize their boat and walk it under the outer span of the bridge, with a bit of help from the Sheppey team. Then back up with the kite, a wave to friends spectating from their anchored yacht, a shriek as a gust hit, and Alto 119 shot off towards the bank with the kite in control! Not the place to go and capsize, and again fortune smiled on the crew who continued on their way.

Then there was the small matter a couple of miles further on of the helm dropping the tiller. 119 slewed off to leeward, but a dive from the crew, and the forgiving design of the boat, prevented what might have seemed inevitable. Approaching Garrison Point the priority was to keep out of the tide and make the most of the Alto's special feature- the swinging pole. It was possible to kite it almost completely downwind with a couple of gybes towards the jetties to keep on track.

Then once past Garrison Point it was a fast blast to the finish. 119 held the kite as long as possible before one final two-sail reach to the line. And then seconds before the finish gun, a massive hole almost tipped the boat in to windward. How much luck can one use in one day? The Alto popped back up again and the finishing hooter sounded. Exhausted! Three hours and 30 seconds of racing.

Overall the Altos finished 10th (Tim Kift/Jo Wicken) and 19th (Chris Ashby/Ian Parris) in what was a demanding but very exhilarating race. Thank you to all the team at the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club and to the event sponsors for a great event.

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