IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023

This year's Round the Isle of Sheppey Race took part on the 3rd September. The forecast was not great with 5 knots at best however, like Saturday's round the cans racing, the locals assured us there will be wind.

The race over the last few years has been dominated by catamarans. Could this year be different for the monohulls? The conditions support the argument.

IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

The tides also proved a little more difficult being 0.3 under predictions which meant less water. The Race Officer (Scott Atkinson) took the difficult decision to postpone all starts by one hour, conscious that it may be a very long day for some people.

The decision proved to be the right one and the breeze started to slowly build, and the tide started to flood.

There are 4 starts, depending on the handicap of the boat. The Slow fleet set off first in 5/6 knots of breeze but a 2 knot tide. Ian Brunger sailing a 40year old Laser led the pack to the first waypoint of Warden Bay, closely followed by the Enterprise (Paul Young & Lauren Morgan).

IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

The Medium fleet started 30 minutes later, although Lee Marriott in the Blaze got the best start, it was Chris Brunger, also in a Blaze who lead the fleet in the light airs. It took just under 2 hours to reach the first waypoint, and it looked like Chris Brunger (note: his dad is in the Laser!) was away and uncatchable when a small faux pas led him to sail into a hole and then proceed backwards for about 5 minutes. This allowed Lee Marriott and Richard Proctor (also in a Blaze) to go past.

IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

The Fast handicap started another 30 minutes after the Medium handicap fleet. The tide was stronger, but the wind improved (slightly!) and an eery mist started to descend. The RS400 (David Ryder & Ian Pierce), Merlin Rocket (Chris Martin & John Tailby) and Musto Skiff (Richard Smith) all to-ing and fro-ing to Warden Bay. Once past the point and a chance to free off after a very long beat, the spinnakers started to pop up, just in time as the wind finally started to build. Whilst the fast two-person boats fought for position, little did they know that the Aero 9 (Paul Halliwell) was sneaking up on them.

IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

The Fast Catamarans finally got under way 30 minutes after the Fast handicap. The Nacra 20 Carbon (Kevin Dutch & David Banner) doing its thing in the light airs, followed by the F18 (Tim Neil & Simon Farren) and the Dart 18 (Chris Goymer & Paul Wiseman). The Nacra was away with tremendous speed, both trapezing in the F2 wind, leaving the F18 and Dart 18 behind.

The race itself proved challenging both physically and mentally. The long beat in light airs was frustrating as most boats zig-zagged along the foreshore to stay out of the tide.

IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

With the delay of 1 hour, more water allowed boats to pass close to the beaches and do a more direct route. All the fleets caught up with each other between Harty and the Bridge which was ideal. The wind (as predicted by the locals) started to build and a steady 12/14kts was had around the back of the island.

What makes this race unique is the Kingsferry Bridge where you have to disembark, capsize your boat and walk it under. Competitors were greeted by a very enthusiastic and very professional beach team who assisted boats under. A top quality service!

IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

After the bridge the land flattened off and the wind was now about 15 to 18kts. A superfast fetch up Long Reach towards the picturesque harbour of Queenborough, where there were old Thames Barges and Classic small ships moored.

As you exit Queenborough, you enter Sheerness Docks, which is a busy commercial port. Luckily there wasn't much moving, but the wind was now gusting 20kts. Already tired from the race, the weather made the final beat to the club from the choppy waters of Garrison Point a challenge. For most the tide had turned and the ebb carried us in the right direction.

IOSSC Round the Isle of Sheppey Race 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

The Round the Isle of Sheppey Race is so unique, so challenging, and yet so rewarding. Sailing around the picturesque island with its history and nature is just a delight. The small club on the north Kent coast can really put on a big show. IOSSC would like to thank all those competitors that ignored the forecast and took on the challenge. As a competitor, I'd like to thank IOSSC for its superb attitude, professionalism, welcome, brilliant social, and of course the race itself.

On handicap Chris Martin & John Tailby in the Merlin proved victorious, winning the race by just 39 seconds over the F18 of Tim Neal & Simon Farren. They also won the Fast Handicap Trophy.

• First Medium Fleet boat went to the Laser 2000 of Alistair Moppet & Sarah Sneddon
• First Slow Handicap was Ian Brunger in the Laser/ILCA
• First Lady Helm went to Melanie Clark (and it was her first ever Island Race!)
• The fast Windsurf went to Andy Gibson

All at IOSSC can't wait to see you all (and more) at next year's event.

Overall Results: