The biggest entry for over a decade for the Isle Of Sheppey Round the Island Race © James Bell
The Isle Of Sheppey Sailing Club's annual race around the island attracted its biggest entry for over a decade on Saturday 9 September. Over 120 boats entered, travelling from across the country to take part in the UK's longest dinghy race.
Sailors came from as far afield as Scotland, Isle Of Man, Germany and the Netherlands to take part in the 40-mile event which has been established since 1959.
Weather conditions were near ideal with sunshine, high temperatures and a fresh easterly wind helping ensure a fast circumnavigation by most of the competitors. However, an exceptionally high spring tide and rolling waves off the island's north coast proved a bit too much for some, with 35 boats retiring, keeping the fleet of ten safety boats busy.
First to finish were Stuart France and Rob Lawes from Whitstable, completing the course in 2 hours 33 minutes in a Formula 18 catamaran, just 4 minutes shy of the course record of 2 hours 29 minutes set by local sailor Colin Overington in 1980.
Overall winner on handicap was Kevin Dutch from Seasalter sailing a Sprint 15 catamaran, closely followed by Charles Thompson in a Nacra 450 in second place and Mark Goodchild from Medway Yacht Club finishing third in his International Canoe.
| Pos | Helm/Crew | Class | Sail No | Club | PY | Finish | Start | Elapsed | Corrected |
|---|
| 1 | Kevin Dutch | Sprint 15 | 1938 | Seasalter SC | 916 | 15:10:28 | 12:00:00 | 03:10:28 | 03:27:56 |
| 2 | Charles Thompson | Nacra 450 | 245 | KADSC | 862 | 15:01:55 | 12:00:00 | 03:01:55 | 03:31:02 |
| 3 | Mark Goodchild | Int. Canoe (Standard) | 265 | Medway YC | 905 | 14:41:34 | 11:30:00 | 03:11:34 | 03:31:41 |
| 4 | Toby Orpin/Lee Marriott | Hobie 16 Spinnaker | 106502 | IOSSC | 788 | 14:52:15 | 12:00:00 | 02:52:15 | 03:38:35 |
| 5 | Richard Ledger/Darren Wenbourne | Dart 18 | 5063 | Whitstable | 798 | 14:56:18 | 12:00:00 | 02:56:18 | 03:40:56 |
| 6 | Stuart France/Rob Lawes | Formula 18 | 1917 | Whistable SC | 691 | 14:33:13 | 12:00:00 | 02:33:13 | 03:41:44 |
| 7 | Ian Priest/Mike Stoddart | Fireball | 14909 | King George SC | 982 | 15:08:35 | 11:30:00 | 03:38:35 | 03:42:35 |
| 8 | David Lester/Toby Winchester | Hobie Tiger | 1738 (H) | Whitstable SC | 689 | 14:36:12 | 12:00:00 | 02:36:12 | 03:46:42 |
| 9 | Mike Dunbauin/Steve Skinner | Dart 18 | 461 | Worthing Yacht Club | 798 | 15:01:06 | 12:00:00 | 03:01:06 | 03:46:57 |
| 10 | Rod Porteous/Maureen Porteous | Tasar | 351 | Queen Mary | 1023 | 15:25:58 | 11:30:00 | 03:55:58 | 03:50:40 |
| 11 | Dan Norman/Mel Rodgers | Dart 18 | 7788 | Whitstable SC | 798 | 15:04:06 | 12:00:00 | 03:04:06 | 03:50:42 |
| 12 | Abby Ledger/Vicky Bushell | Dart 18 | 6456 | WYC | 798 | 15:04:54 | 12:00:00 | 03:04:54 | 03:51:42 |
| 13 | Tim Knight/Mariko Knight | Tasar | 2802 | Royal Lymington YC | 1023 | 15:29:17 | 11:30:00 | 03:59:17 | 03:53:54 |
| 14 | Andrew Gregory/Simon West | B14 | 618 | Aylesbury / Broxbourne SC | 880 | 14:57:00 | 11:30:00 | 03:27:00 | 03:55:14 |
| 15 | Stuart Bailey/Zoe Noble | Buzz | 797 | Medway | 1005 | 15:26:38 | 11:30:00 | 03:56:38 | 03:55:27 |
| 16 | Nick Dewhirst/John Moody Smith | Tornado Sport | 405 | Whitstable SC | 650 | 14:33:39 | 12:00:00 | 02:33:39 | 03:56:23 |
| 17 | Mike Smith/Tony Dod | Spitfire | 87 | Whitstable YC | 712 | 14:49:37 | 12:00:00 | 02:49:37 | 03:58:14 |
| 18 | Tim Laws/Rosie White | National 12 | 3497 | Forfar SC | 1093 | 15:21:42 | 11:00:00 | 04:21:42 | 03:59:26 |
| 19 | Scott Atkinson/Steve Baker | Hurricane 5.9 | 124 | IOSSC | 691 | 14:46:35 | 12:00:00 | 02:46:35 | 04:01:05 |
| 20 | Mike Lyons | Blaze | 720 | Burghfield SC | 1047 | 15:13:27 | 11:00:00 | 04:13:27 | 04:02:04 |
| 21 | Ian Foxwell/Hannah Packman | Buzz | 844 | Wilsonian SC | 1005 | 15:33:50 | 11:30:00 | 04:03:50 | 04:02:37 |
| 22 | James Bell/Mark Spendley | Laser 4000 | 4408 | IOSSC | 908 | 15:10:31 | 11:30:00 | 03:40:31 | 04:02:52 |
| 23 | David Hirst/Robert Buckmaster | Javelin | 556 | Cookham Reach SC | 926 | 15:15:23 | 11:30:00 | 03:45:23 | 04:03:24 |
| 24 | Michael Iszatt | RS600 | 951 | Fishers Green SC | 920 | 15:14:19 | 11:30:00 | 03:44:19 | 04:03:49 |
| 25 | Stuart Brown/Richard Hughes | Dart 18 | | IOSSC | 798 | 15:16:23 | 12:00:00 | 03:16:23 | 04:06:06 |
| 26 | Simon Whitham/Barney Proud | Tasar | 1269 | Stewartby WaterSports Club | 1023 | 15:43:24 | 11:30:00 | 04:13:24 | 04:07:42 |
| 27 | Stuart C. Brown | Blaze | 713 | Burghfield SC | 1047 | 15:19:52 | 11:00:00 | 04:19:52 | 04:08:12 |
| 28 | Chris Bell/Ian Brunger | Albacore | 7407 | IOSSC | 1066 | 15:24:55 | 11:00:00 | 04:24:55 | 04:08:31 |
| 29 | Rien Zilvold | Blaze | 715 | WSC | 1047 | 15:20:35 | 11:00:00 | 04:20:35 | 04:08:53 |
| 30 | Tony Coulson/Harry Coulson | Laser 2000 | 2309 | Whitstable | 1089 | 15:31:50 | 11:00:00 | 04:31:50 | 04:09:37 |
| 31 | Roger Gibbs/Mathew Claridge | Wayfarer | 1759 | Medway Yacht Club | 1099 | 15:35:22 | 11:00:00 | 04:35:22 | 04:10:34 |
| 32 | Pete Barlow | Blaze | 733 | Burghfield SC | 1047 | 15:23:06 | 11:00:00 | 04:23:06 | 04:11:17 |
| 33 | Andrew Wilson/Tom Wilson | RS400 | 1138 | Datchet Water SC | 952 | 15:31:22 | 11:30:00 | 04:01:22 | 04:13:32 |
| 34 | Paul Richards/Debbie Godding | Hurricane 5.9 | 405 | IOSSC | 691 | 14:55:14 | 12:00:00 | 02:55:14 | 04:13:36 |
| 35 | James Ashby/Alison Aldridge | Dart 18 | 7514 | IOSSC | 798 | 15:23:33 | 12:00:00 | 03:23:33 | 04:15:05 |
| 36 | Matt Rickard | Laser | 169159 | Ahoy Centre | 1078 | 15:36:51 | 11:00:00 | 04:36:51 | 04:16:49 |
| 37 | A. Ritchie | Laser | 182450 | Chipstead | 1078 | 15:37:34 | 11:00:00 | 04:37:34 | 04:17:29 |
| 38 | Tim Harris/Chris Booth | Dart 18 | 283 | IOSSC | 798 | 15:27:14 | 12:00:00 | 03:27:14 | 04:19:41 |
| 39 | Chris Goymer/Glnn Jefferies | Dart 18 | 7068 | IOSSC | 798 | 15:27:50 | 12:00:00 | 03:27:50 | 04:20:27 |
| 40 | Sonja Riley/Caroline Alexander | Buzz | 965 | Wilsonian Sailing Club | 1005 | 15:54:03 | 11:30:00 | 04:24:03 | 04:22:44 |
| 41 | Alan Thomas/Jan Thomas | Stealth | 550 | IOSSC | 732 | 15:12:31 | 12:00:00 | 03:12:31 | 04:23:00 |
| 42 | Paul Taylor | Blaze | 654 | Burghfield SC | 1047 | 15:35:22 | 11:00:00 | 04:35:22 | 04:23:00 |
| 43 | Chris Harris/Tracy Harris | RS400 | 1256 | Northampton SC | 952 | 15:40:38 | 11:30:00 | 04:10:38 | 04:23:16 |
| 44 | Guy Marks/Thomas Marks | Pacer | 1703 | Bough Beech Sailing Club | 1193 | 15:44:30 | 10:30:00 | 05:14:30 | 04:23:37 |
| 45 | Adrian Laber/Graham Laber | Dart 18 | 1829 | IOSSC | 798 | 15:30:37 | 12:00:00 | 03:30:37 | 04:23:56 |
| 46 | Bill Alexander/Mark Munday | Squib | 637 | MYC | 1108 | 15:52:58 | 11:00:00 | 04:52:58 | 04:24:25 |
| 47 | M. Warwicker/Kate Fitsimmons | Pacer | 2302 | Bough Beech | 1193 | 15:45:38 | 10:30:00 | 05:15:38 | 04:24:34 |
| 48 | Sir Mark Dowling/Warren ""Binky"" Kendall | ISO | 1195 | Bewl Water | 926 | 15:36:01 | 11:30:00 | 04:06:01 | 04:25:41 |
| 49 | D. Tugwell | Stealth | 538 | Datchet | 732 | 15:16:15 | 12:00:00 | 03:16:15 | 04:28:06 |
| 50 | Mick Greenland/Warren Greenland | RS400 | 772 | IOSSC | 952 | 15:45:17 | 11:30:00 | 04:15:17 | 04:28:09 |
| 51 | Neil Roscoe | Solo | 4159 | Haversham SC | 1155 | 15:41:31 | 10:30:00 | 05:11:31 | 04:29:43 |
| 52 | Dean Ralph/Simon Jones | 29er XX | 7 | IOSSC | 840 | 15:17:45 | 11:30:00 | 03:47:45 | 04:31:08 |
| 53 | Mark Mawhinney/Mark Seager | Osprey | 1197 | IOSSC | 940 | 15:45:17 | 11:30:00 | 04:15:17 | 04:31:35 |
| 54 | Nikos Antoniades/Catherine Evans | Laser 2000 | 2305 | Shadwell | 1089 | 15:56:53 | 11:00:00 | 04:56:53 | 04:32:37 |
| 55 | Steve Mitchell/Josh Hulks | Bosun | 2 (B2) | Ahoy centre | 1198 | 15:59:19 | 10:30:00 | 05:29:19 | 04:34:53 |
| 56 | Michael Gearing/G. Brealey | GP14 | 12855 | North Herts East Beds SC | 1127 | 15:41:17 | 10:30:00 | 05:11:17 | 04:36:12 |
| 57 | Robert Bushell/James Brookes | Laser II | 9144 | Bough Beech | 1035 | 15:46:32 | 11:00:00 | 04:46:32 | 04:36:51 |
| 58 | Robert Johnston | Blaze | 668 | Blackpool & Fleetwood SC | 1047 | 15:49:57 | 11:00:00 | 04:49:57 | 04:36:56 |
| 59 | Malcolm Lyon/Joe Lyon | Kestrel | 179 | Thornbury Sailing Club | 1038 | 15:47:28 | 11:00:00 | 04:47:28 | 04:36:57 |
| 60 | Chas Bedford | Shadow | 31 | IOSSC | 732 | 15:22:47 | 12:00:00 | 03:22:47 | 04:37:02 |
| 61 | James Staniland/David Startup | Laser 4000 | 4402 | IOSSC | 908 | 15:42:49 | 11:30:00 | 04:12:49 | 04:38:26 |
| 62 | Paul Reid | Blaze | 512 | Blackpool and Fleetwood | 1047 | 15:55:52 | 11:00:00 | 04:55:52 | 04:42:35 |
| 63 | Josh Pitt | Laser | 139431 | Docklands Sailing and Watersports centre | 1078 | 16:05:16 | 11:00:00 | 05:05:16 | 04:43:11 |
| 64 | P. Curl/S. Curl | Graduate | 2972 | Chipstead SC | 1167 | 16:00:49 | 10:30:00 | 05:30:49 | 04:43:29 |
| 65 | Roy Bushell/David Costley | Wayfarer | 10068 | Bough Beech | 1099 | 16:13:31 | 11:00:00 | 05:13:31 | 04:45:16 |
| 66 | Terry Naude/Paul Kenwood | Wayfarer | 10319 | Shadwell SC | 1099 | 16:17:41 | 11:00:00 | 05:17:41 | 04:49:04 |
| 67 | Chris Parr/Rona Hawes | Tasar | 2154 | Chipstead SC | 1023 | 16:26:16 | 11:30:00 | 04:56:16 | 04:49:36 |
| 68 | Jack Daly/Lynn Daly | Laser 3000 | 3169 | Hampton Pier, Herne Bay | 1030 | 16:29:38 | 11:30:00 | 04:59:38 | 04:50:54 |
| 69 | David Mealin/Tara Yamashita | Bosun | 2306 | Docklands Sailing Centre | 1198 | 16:22:26 | 10:30:00 | 05:52:26 | 04:54:11 |
| 70 | Gary Livingstone/Allan Henson | Lark | 2169 | Northampton SC | 1073 | 16:17:24 | 11:00:00 | 05:17:24 | 04:55:48 |
| 71 | Nick Gallwey/Jack Gallwey | Enterprise | 22085 | Bewl Valley SC | 1116 | 16:31:32 | 11:00:00 | 05:31:32 | 04:57:04 |
| 72 | Rob Smith/Zoe Ralph | Topaz Vibe | 4928 | IOSSC | 1160 | 16:16:27 | 10:30:00 | 05:46:27 | 04:58:40 |
| 73 | Byron Stanislaus | Laser | 14 | DSWC | 1078 | 16:23:05 | 11:00:00 | 05:23:05 | 04:59:42 |
| 74 | Andy Hockey/Louise Somers | Wayfarer | 10321 | Shadwell Basin | 1099 | 16:30:59 | 11:00:00 | 05:30:59 | 05:01:10 |
| 75 | Paul Wiseman | Europe | 1315 | IOSSC | 1139 | 16:15:13 | 10:30:00 | 05:45:13 | 05:03:05 |
| 76 | Laurence Trim/Robert Myers | Pacer | 1799 | Bough Beech SC | 1193 | 16:32:26 | 10:30:00 | 06:02:26 | 05:03:48 |
| 77 | Coen Louwarts/Chris Healy | Bosun | 11 | DSWC | 1198 | 16:44:14 | 10:30:00 | 06:14:14 | 05:12:23 |
| 78 | Steve Scott/Tom Shillitoe | ISO | 673 | Grafham | 926 | 16:20:59 | 11:30:00 | 04:50:59 | 05:14:14 |
| 79 | Jon Haddon/Russell Webley | Wayfarer | 88 | Shadwell Basin | 1099 | 16:54:02 | 11:00:00 | 05:54:02 | 05:22:08 |
| 80 | | Laser Radial | ??? | Charlie Kwai | 1101 | 16:55:29 | 11:00:00 | 05:55:29 | 05:22:52 |
| 81 | Claire Roff/Tom Still | Bosun | 9 | Shadwell Basin | 1198 | 16:59:21 | 10:30:00 | 06:29:21 | 05:25:00 |
| 82 | Patrick Laffargue | GP14 | 12381 | Broadstairs SC | 1127 | 16:36:47 | 10:30:00 | 06:06:47 | 05:25:27 |
| 83 | Chris Hore/Steve Kendall | Laser Vago XD | 182 | Hampton Pier | 1000 | 16:55:52 | 11:30:00 | 05:25:52 | 05:25:52 |
| 84 | Paul Doyle/Paul Farr | Topper Xenon | 4197 | Herts County YC | 1045 | 16:56:33 | 11:00:00 | 05:56:33 | 05:41:12 |
| 85 | J Broadhead/J Scott | Wayfarer | 333 | Island Barn Reservoir SC | 1099 | 17:18:50 | 11:00:00 | 06:18:50 | 05:44:42 |
| RTD | Aaron Young/Rob Butterfield | Stealth | 539 | DWSC | 732 | | | | |
| RTD | Ben Dewhurst/Gary Newman | Osprey | 1063 | Watsonians | 940 | | | | |
| RTD | Brin Ward/Jackie Ward | Tasar | 2156 | Chipstead | 1023 | | | | |
| RTD | Bryn Roach | Sailboard | 0 | | 1000 | | | | |
| RTD | Colin Sherwood/Josh Brown | Topaz Vibe | 4926 | IOSSC | 1160 | | | | |
| RTD | Dave Turnbull/Alan Cooper | Wayfarer | 10320 | Shadwell | 1099 | | | | |
| RTD | Dean Abra/Simon Waterfall | Sprint 15 | 1784 | IOSSC | 916 | | | | |
| RTD | Dudley Mathews | RS Feva | 116 | IOSSC | 1189 | | | | |
| RTD | G Thompson/Ethen Thompson | Hobie 16 | 100544 | IOSSC | 802 | | | | |
| RTD | Jim Woodard/Ant Miles | Scorpion | 870 | | 1056 | | | | |
| RTD | John Greenstreet/David Owen | Topaz Tres | 2408 | | 1175 | | | | |
| DNS | Jon Burgess/Barry Atkinson | Laser SB3 | 3129 | Bewl Valley SC | 925 | | | | |
| RTD | Jon Eeles/Carol Kehoe | Osprey | 1063 | Watsonians | 940 | | | | |
| RTD | Malcolm Levey/Sally Colbert | Tasar | 287 | Wilsonian SC | 1023 | | | | |
| DNS | Martin Wark/Alistair Wark | Topper Xenon | 3936 | Broadwater SC | 1045 | | | | |
| RTD | Mathew Littlejohn/Paul Risborough | Wanderer | 45 | Eastney Cruising Association | 1132 | | | | |
| RTD | Michael Schmid/Julie Schmid | Dart 18 | 7014 | IOSSC | 798 | | | | |
| RTD | Oliver Wilby/Roger Wilby | Squib | 290 | Medway Yacht Club | 1108 | | | | |
| RTD | Paul Downs/Graznya Downs | Wayfarer | 7428 | Medway Yacht Club | 1099 | | | | |
| RTD | Phil Kenny/Cath, Joanna, Anthony, Chris | Drascombe Longboat* | 393 | Northampton (Sailability) | 1305 | | | | |
| RTD | R. Thornby-Cook/Sam Buckle | Bosun | 2 (HB2) | Folkestone Sea cadets | 1198 | | | | |
| RTD | R. Wilkinson | Firefly | 1144 | IOSSC | 1162 | | | | |
| RTD | Rebecca Scott/Andrew Ktenas | Wayfarer | 9625 | Shadwell Basin | 1099 | | | | |
| RTD | Robin Brooks/Victoria Brooks | Albacore | 6930 | Maidenhead SC | 1066 | | | | |
| RTD | Roger Baker/Gareth Jones | Dart 18 | 7322 | IOSSC | 798 | | | | |
| RTD | Roger Taylor/Jenny Talbot | Osprey | 704 | IOSSC | 940 | | | | |
| RTD | Ron Gibbs | Blaze | 634 | Bough Beech | 1047 | | | | |
| RTD | Sergei Samus/Tajinder Chadha | Bosun | 2304 | Docklands | 1198 | | | | |
| RTD | Simon Boyle/Ellie Boyle | Spice | 363 | Ardingly | 930 | | | | |
| RTD | Tim Roach | Sailboard | 01 | | 1000 | | | | |
| RTD | W R Poulton | Wineglass | 6384 (E) | | 1080 | | | | |
| RTD | William Hodgson/Rebecca Stone | Tasar | 252 | Pevensey Bay SC | 1023 | | | | |
| (119) | Richard Baker | Sailboard | | | | | | | |
| (120) | Mark Holder | Sailboard | | | | | | | |