Island Games

Ahead of this year’s Round the Island Race, SUE PELLING persuades a panel of former competitors to reveal their magic moments in previous events, and share their top tips.

As the clock counts down to the start of The Round the Island Race in association with Cloudy Bay on 1 July, competitors are making a last minute dash to sign up for what promises to be yet another eminent event.

This Island Sailing Club-hosted event, which regularly attracts well over 1600 yachts, is one of the largest participation sporting events in the UK and arguably the biggest event of its type in the world. Not surprisingly therefore, the success of this annual event, now in its 86th year, continues to build, with many rating the 50 nautical mile blast anti-clockwise around the Isle of Wight as an essential event in the annual racing calendar. 

Although some - particularly newcomers - may find racing with over a 1000 other yachts somewhat daunting, in theory it is one of the most straightforward courses; just leave the Isle of Wight to port. Sounds simple enough but in practice if you want to bag a decent result, it is worth investing time in a bit of navigational research. Also, because it is a ‘race for all’ and naturally attracts those with less experience, it is definitely worthwhile having a basic knowledge of sailing rules because sailing ‘your own race’ to avoid others, is definitely not an option!

Youth team

George Kennedy – skipper, Team Impact Racing (J/24) 

George Kennedy (16) is the skipper of the Poole based youth team – Team Impact Racing – sailing the J/24 North shore Homes. Although Kennedy has raced the Round the Island four times before crewing on a variety of boats, this is the first time he and his five-strong team, all dinghy sailing friends from Park stone Yacht Club, will be going it alone.