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Isle of Sheppey Race 2024

by Lee Marriott 3 Sep 19:27 BST 31 August - 1 September 2024

The Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club (IOSSC) hosted the annual round the Isle of Sheppey race on the 1st September 2024. As is now the norm, those who arrived on Saturday are offered 'round the cans' racing to test there rigging in preparation for the big event.

This year the weather forecasts where varied on the lead up to the event, and depending one which one you chose probably dictated whether to turn up or not. Gale force winds predicted, then 6kts, then 17kts (champagne conditions for the island race) all from different weather apps and all for the same period. Despite the varied forecasts, 45 competitors entered the race, (up 10 boats from 2023). The Saturday was indeed challenging (1 weather app got it right!) and racing was abandoned.

Sunday however was perfect, 15 to 17kts from the ENE and sunshine! 45 entries made the epic voyage around the picturesque island of Sheppey, The fleet was split into 4 starts, Slow Monohulls, Medium Monohulls, Fast monohulls/slow Cats and Fast Catamaran Handicaps starting at 1000 and then every 30 minutes.

The start of the race was a very long hard beat to Warden point on port tack with plenty of waves to keep you on your toes, before the water started to flatten off and a fetch to Shellness which proved to be one of the fastest stretches of the race. First to Shellness was the Enterprise of PAUL YOUNG & MEGAN WARD (Midland SC) closely followed by the Solo of MICK GREENLAND (IOSSC). That said the medium handicap boats where fast approaching. Lee Marriott (IOSSC) in a Blaze had engaged the hyperdrive and took the lead boat position as they headed into the Swale.

Once in the Swale it was a Gybe onto starboard, for which many felt the effects on the arms and neck having looked in one direction for such a long time, and the race to the Kingsferry Bridge which make this race so unique. Marriott (Blaze 860) was increasing his lead over the Slow, medium and Fast handicap boats, but it was the Super Catamarans that caught him up just before Grovehurst, just 1 mile from the bridge. KEVIN DUTCH & DAVID BANNER (IOSSC) sailing the amazing foiling Nacra 20 blasted past the little Blaze to reach the bridge first. They were met by a team of energetic individuals who help all competitors under the bridge. This is the only time 'outside assistance is allowed'. You have to capsize your boat and walk it under the bridge before proceeding the final sprint to the finish through Queenborough and Sheerness Docks. Not far behind the Nacra were all 4 F18 Cats who, in themselves were having there own 'internal battle' to reach the bridge.

The last few legs of the race between the bridge and the club saw the sea breeze kick in, adding a few more knots to the wind. Either that or our bodies were slowly giving up! The winding bends and now the established Ebb tide changing the dynamic of the race yet again. It was the Nacra 20 who took line honours in a fantastic time of 1hour 54minutes, just 2 minutes of the record set in 2010! The 4 F18s all crossing the line in formation, but it was ADAM PIGGOTT & ROBBY-JON GARCKA (WESTON SC) who crossed the line 2nd on the water, and took the win on handicap to be crowned IOSSC's Round the Island Race winners 2024.

LEE MARRIOTT in the Blaze crossed the line 6th on the water to be the first Monohull boat just ahead of the Dart 18 fleet.

The race is certainly a tick in the box of life and is incredibly challenging, yet arguably one of the most rewarding races out there! This small club with a big personality knows how to host good events. Socials on Friday and Saturday where well attended in the welcoming and friendly club house. Food was served throughout the weekend, and of course, the bar was well stocked. IOSSC would like to thank SailRacer for providing trackers and all competitors and volunteers who made the journey and competed. It was a blast (literally!). Next years Island Race is scheduled for 06/07 September 2025. We all hope you can make it. Drone footage, pictures, videos and more can be found on our facebook group @IOS Sailing Club.

Overall Results:

PosTypeClassSail NoHelmCrewClubPYStartFinishElapsedCorrected
1Fast MultihullsF18350Adam PiggottRobby‑Jon GarckaWeston SC67811.313.35.2525.2534.59
2Fast MultihullsF18518Tim NEALSimon FARRENParkstone Yacht Club67811.313.36.4026.4036.49
3Fast MultihullsF1867Simon NorthrupCaleb CooperMinnis Bay Sailing Club67811.313.38.2228.2239.20
4Fast MultihullsF18514Nicholas BARNESJames STACEYBrightlingsea Sailing Club67811.313.40.302.10.303.12.29
5Fast MultihullsNacra F20 Carbon FCS98Kevin DUTCHDavid BANNERIOSSC58811.313.24.491.54.493.15.16
6Fast MultihullsDart 187727Chris GoymerPaul WisemanIOSSC82211.314.2022.5023.26.51
7Medium Monohulls:Blaze860Lee MARRIOTT IOSSC103310.314.18.283.48.283.41.10
8Fast MultihullsDart 187000Joe Baker IOSSC82211.314.33.3633.363.43.21
9Slow MultihullsDart 152025Jenny BALL Marconi Sailing Club9261114.30.503.30.503.47.41
10Medium Monohulls:Blaze754Mark ASTBURY Warsash Sailing Club103310.314.28.523.58.523.51.14
11Fast MultihullsDart 186563Christophe CLARKEAmelie CLARKEMarconi Sailing Club82211.314.40.313.10.313.51.46
12Fast MonohullsMerlin Rocket3787Chris MARTINJohn TAILBYBartley SC / Notts County SC9831114.50.223.50.223.54.21
13Medium Monohulls:Laser 200021003Alastair MOPPETTSarah SEDDONBough Beech SC111810.314.52.594.22.593.55.14
14Medium Monohulls:Blaze850Rupert RHODES Tudor Sailing Club103310.314.34.5344.533.574
15Fast MultihullsDart 186559Max ANSBRO Weston Sailing Club82211.314.463.163.58.27
16Medium Monohulls:RS2001721Joe WarwickerMike WarwickerBough Beech SC104610.314.40.334.10.333.59.32
17Fast MultihullsDart 187761Rob Sted‑SmithCaroline Sted‑SmithIOSSC82211.314.48.513.18.5141.55
18Medium Monohulls:42053380Johnathan ShieldsStuart ShieldsTonbridge Town SC110010.314.56.284.26.2842.15
19Fast MonohullsRS300308Neal GIBSON Downs SC9651114.56.563.56.5645.32
20Fast MonohullsRS AERO 969Andrew Priechenfried Shellness SC100811158.2048.2046.22
21Slow MonohullsILCA 6 / Laser Radial142204David MAKKINK EYC11541014.44.394.44.3946.40
22Fast MonohullsMusto Skiff38Jake WILLARS Notts county8371114.28.543.28.5449.35
23Slow MultihullsDart 151991Derek Darley IOSSC9261114.5183.51849.36
24Medium Monohulls:Laser 20002695Brian CULVERKacper GUNIAWilsonian SC111810.315.13.334.43.334.13.37
25Slow MultihullsDart 152015Nigel JAMES Marconi Sailing Club9261114.57.593.57.594.17
26Slow MonohullsEnterprise22901Paul YOUNGMegan WARDMidland Sailing Club11331014.52.174.52.174.17.58
27Medium Monohulls:Albacore8151Martin HAYWARDSacha MAYHEWMaidenhead Sailing Club103710.314.5974.2974.19.31
28Slow MonohullsSolo4247Mick GREENLAND IOSSC11421014.58.304.58.304.21.23
29Slow MonohullsILCA 4 / Laser 4.721354Michelle Ryder Island Bard SC12131015.1855.1854.22.14
30Slow MultihullsDart 15204Craig DABBS IOSSC92611157.1847.184.274
31Medium Monohulls:Wayfarer10077Ken SYKESPaul DAVISIOSSC110910.315.26.204.56.204.27.12
32Medium Monohulls:Blaze584Alex PERRIMAN IOSSC103310.3157.304.37.304.28.38
33Medium Monohulls:Laser Stratos637R WIlliamsM CraggWeirwood SC110310.315.27.224.57.224.29.36
34Slow MultihullsDart 151747Dan BARD Marconi Sailing Club9261115.13.424.13.424.33.58
35Medium Monohulls:COMET TRIO MK 1384James PullingerAdam KirkwoodCody SC109210.315.35..27554.39.18
36Fast MonohullsRS400535Chris BrunsdonPeter Deeming 9391115.2314.2314.406
37Medium Monohulls:RS Quest850Tede GAMBELLBrandon Clymer ELLIS LEMASONRY‑BENNETTSheppey Sea Cadets111010.315.4235.1234.418
38Medium Monohulls:COMET TRIO MK 1448Simon MillingtonMartin DaviesCody SC109210.315.44.505.14.504.48.19
39Medium Monohulls:Laser 20002967Paul JARRETTFotis STELLATOSFormer gunfleet111810.31655.354.59.39
40Medium Monohulls:RS Quest1127Madison MOOREJayden Smith JESS FRENCHSheppey Sea Cadets111010.316.13.375.43.3759.34
41Medium Monohulls:RS Quest883Alex TalattAlfred Richards & Thomas RichardsSheppey Sea Cadets111010.316.37.5767.575.31.29
42Medium Monohulls:Laser Vago0Ella GAMBELLJosh ATKINSONIOSSC107410.316.34.1764.175.39.11
43Fast MultihullsTornado422Adrian HoweFenella WilliamsHayling Ferry Sailing Club64411.315.25DNS 
43Slow MonohullsGP145794Tony DUKEStephen DUKEIOSSC113810 RET 
43Medium Monohulls:Wayfarer23Robin PRIORDaniel PRIORIsland Yacht Club ‑ Canvey110910.3 DNC 

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