Raymarine confirms continued sponsorship of Round the Island Race

by Polly Tyekiff on 12 Jan 2013 World leaders in marine electronics, Raymarine, has confirmed its continued sponsorship of the world-renowned J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. A race partner since 2003, Raymarine has signed a further two year partner agreement, ensuring the company maintains its key role in the on-going success of the Round the Island Race by providing the essential, pre-race weather briefing for the 1700 plus yachts and over 16000 sailors that take part.

Raymarine’s Weather Briefing helps competitors gain as much information as possible on the anticipated race conditions each year. The Weather Briefing gives a detailed breakdown of the weather conditions, tide and sea state, as well as hints and tips on the best tactics for the race. During the week leading up to the race, Raymarine also provides daily weather forecasts via email and SMS for competitors who sign up for the useful pre-race data on the Raymarine website.

The Raymarine Weather Briefing itself is held at the Island Sailing Club and is always packed to capacity. For the first time last year, the Weather Briefing was streamed live over the web using new high-speed digital connectivity installed on the Isle of Wight. Competitors and other interested parties were able to view the Weather Briefing live via smartphone, tablet and PC by logging onto Raymarine or the Island Sailing Club’s website, or by watching Wight TV’s Channel 220, and On Event TV shown in public areas across the Island including the big screen in Cowes Yacht Haven, and other favourite pre-race gathering points for competitors.

Lea Bennett, the Island Sailing Club Secretary, says: 'It’s amazing how technology has progressed over the years that we have been holding the Raymarine Weather Briefing and with so many skippers and their crews wanting to access this information that's just as well! Using the technology we have today, we have moved on to relay the Raymarine Weather Briefing through Cowes pubs, the Race Village and other Sailing Clubs giving expanded coverage of this much needed and sought after information!'

This year’s live Raymarine Weather Briefing takes place on Friday 31st May and race day for the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is Saturday 1st Raymarine Round the Island website