Countdown to the race for all - Round the Island Race 2023
by Island Sailing Club 22 Jun 2023 17:58 BST
1 July 2023
Fleet at The Needles © Paul Wyeth
The excitement is building for the iconic and much-loved Round the Island Race on Saturday 1st July. It's both a prestigious and a challenging race, and regularly attracts a diverse range of sailors from around the world - from professional racing teams, keen amateur racers and families ready for an enjoyable day out on the water.
All fleets follow the same 50 nautical miles course which circumnavigates the Isle of Wight in an anti-clockwise direction with the start and finish off Cowes. The Island Sailing Club (ISC), who have run the race for over 90 years, are delighted to announce that local resident, presenter and writer Alan Titchmarsh will be firing the cannons at The Royal Yacht Squadron to start the race at 08:00.
Alan said: "I'm delighted to have been asked to start one of the highlights in the Isle of Wight calendar. The Round the Island Race is very special and I wish every participant fair winds and a calm sea. Bon voyage!"
David Atkinson, Race Director said: "We are delighted to welcome such a hugely varied fleet this year, both returning and new competitors. It's such a great opportunity for race crews to test their sailing skills, teamwork, and strategy as well as having a great day on the water. There's going to be a real battle for line honours this year and we can't wait to see who will lift the hugely coveted Gold Roman Bowl. Then there's over one hundred other prizes on offer, not forgetting the many personal races happening between our competitors. The long-range forecast is looking favourable and we're hoping everyone will enjoy this spectacular race."
Behind the scenes the race relies on the well-practised Race Management Team at the ISC and the support and dedication of over 150 volunteers who play essential roles in ensuring the smooth operation of the event. It can be a long day for some of the volunteers, especially those stationed on the Finish Line committee boat. The team need to accurately record the sail number and time of every boat as they cross the finish line, and transmit this info to the results team based in Regatta House to enable an almost live feed of results online.
Follow the race
To help you choose a great vantage point to watch the race in person take a look at the Spectator Guide on the event website. The most popular Island vantage points are in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Green; The Needles; St Catherine's Point; Culver Down and Ryde Pier. The guide gives likely times the fleet will pass the different places during the 50 nautical mile course.
Follow the social media channels and the live Race Blog on the event website which will provide a running commentary on the progress of the race - along with pictures and video clips - from the first start at 08:00 through to the finish. Meanwhile, the Race Viewer tracking system will be monitoring the position of all 1,100 boats taking part, so you can see exactly where your favourite boats are on the racetrack.
Official Race Village will be open to all
Nothing beats a chilled beer and a jovial debrief after completing the race! The Official Race Village hosted by the Island Sailing Club at Cowes Yacht Haven will be the place to be. It is free to enter and will welcome all competitors, supporters, spectators and visitors to enjoy drinks and food from 17:00 on Friday 30th June and throughout race day and evening until midnight.
Enjoy live bands on Saturday from 18:00 and soak up the atmospere. The Race Partners (Helly Hansen and B&G), Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Project Q and the Island Sailing Club will have stands offering race support, discounts, games and giveaways.
B&G in partnership with Hudson Marine will be at the Race Village with their B&G Technical Support Vehicle, kitted out with all the latest electronics. The team will be on hand to offer support and have some cool giveaways.
Helly Hansen in partnership with the RNLI will hold a Lifejacket Clinic outside the Helly Hansen Cowes store (121 High St, Cowes, PO31 7AY) on Friday 30th June, between 15:00 and 19:00. Visit their stand in the Race Village to take part in their 'Ready Steady Crew' challenge to race the clock and get dressed head-to-toe in an RNLI rescue outfit.
The Official 2023 Race Collection by Helly Hansen is available to order online (via the event website www.roundtheisland.org.uk and then pay/collect in the Helly Hansen Cowes store) or visit the store and enjoy shopping the wide range of branded kit.
Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust celebrates it's 20th birthday on race day
Dame Ellen MacArthur is taking on Round the Island Race in celebration of her charity's 20th birthday. She will take the helm of the Trust's flagship boat Solent Hero and will be accompanied by 24 young people following their cancer treatment aboard four yachts. Visit the Trust's stand on Saturday 1st July in the Race Village for some fun family games.
This year, the charity is launching its #200for20 Birthday Challenge on the day of Round the Island Race, with Dame Ellen encouraging entrants to raise £200 or £20 for the Trust's 20th anniversary. Donations of £20 can be made by texting RACEFORALL to 70460* or visit their JustGiving page '2023 Round the Island Race'.
*Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you will be opting into hearing more from the Trust (if you would like to donate but don't wish to hear more, please text RACEFORALLNOINFO instead).
The race is also supporting the new charity Project Q Foundation which raises funds and awareness to advance Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery locally, nationally and internationally. Visit their stand to talk to their passionate team about why this innovation is so important to support.
The official Weather Briefing, hosted by Penny Tranter, will take place at the Island Sailing Club on Friday 30th June at 18:00, all skippers are welcome and it will be available online from 20:00.
Still time to enter!
Late ENTRIES close at 12:00 on Wednesday 28th June, so if your boat isn't already entered for the race, visit the event website for all the information you need and the online entry form.
Event Website: www.roundtheisland.org.uk
Spectator Guide: Visit the event website 'The Race' section
Social media: @roundtheisland @roundtheislandrace and #RoundtheIsland #RaceForAll