WEATHER conditions could not have been better for the iconic Round the Island Race last Saturday.
Thousands of sailors, of all ages and abilities, took part in one of the most treasured events on the global sailing calendar.
The Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a challenge — a 50 nautical mile circumnavigation of the Island, with the prized Gold Roman Bowl, one of sailing’s most revered trophies, up for grabs.
Ian Atkins’ Fast 40 boat, GP42 (Dark’n’Stormy), won both the monohull line honours and the race overall, to earn him the spectacular Bowl.
The last time this happened was way back in 1988 with Simon Le Bon’s maxi yacht, Drum.
Ian Walker, race tactician on Dark’n’Stormy, said: “The Round the Island Race is a one-off. It’s sailing’s London Marathon and our chance to get as many people out on the water as possible to enjoy a fantastic day.
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“We had a pretty tidy race — a good start, with clear air and were the leading monohull at The Needles, which helps, as I know what it’s like when you’re in the pack and there are boats everywhere, so it saves you a lot of time.
“Our boat is good downwind. We were fast reaching to St Catherine’s and under a lot of pressure from Khumbu, the other Fast40.
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“In fact, we swapped places a few times at St Catherine’s and then, once we got the spinnaker up, it was the question of whether we could hold it all the way down to Bembridge.
“We broached a few times and had to drop the spinnaker. At that point, we had a 300m lead.
“Khumbu did a great job of going inside us as the fort, then we were bow to bow coming up The Solent. Fortunately we got ahead of them with the Code Zero just before Ryde Bank and then held it to the finish.
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“It’s a great race, thanks to the fantastic organisation of the Island Sailing Club.”
Dave Atkinson, the Round the Island Race director said competitors enjoyed a fair breeze, with a favourable wind angle going through Hurst Narrows.
“There was pleasant reach to St Catherine’s and then there was an incredible spectacle as the spinnakers started to be flown,” he said.
“A huge thanks to all the competitors for making this ‘race for all’ so special and to our race partners, without whom we couldn’t stage such an incredible event.”
Onshore, there was a great atmosphere in Cowes — competitors and spectators enjoying the entertainment in the Official Race Village, at Cowes Yacht Haven and in the Island Sailing Club.
For all race results, videos and more images of the race, visit the event website: www.roundtheisland.org.uk
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