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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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.