Round the Island Race

HURST POINT YACHT CHARTERS LTD

Lymington based yacht charter at the spectacular western end of the Solent

Tel 01590 623765 mob 07932 140878
or email info@hurstpointyachts.co.uk

RECORD NUMBER ENTRANTS FOR 2008 See our entry details here for 'Dotty Dot'

Friday 27th to Sunday 29th JUNE 2008
£245 PER PERSON.

This is a race experience weekend for 7 crew plus skipper on our 40ft Bavaria 'Dotty Dot'. We have no spinnaker but generally give a good account of ourselves under our IRC handicap entry. If you are a novice wanting to experience the big day and not seriously expecting to win this could be the trip for you.
This year 2008 our class is IRC 3 blue flag with a start time of 0700hrs.

Welcome to the Round the Island Race website.

ROUND THE ISLAND RACE

Last year the race took place on Saturday 23rd June 2007. Organised by the Island Sailing Club, this is the worlds largest yacht race with around 1800 yachts participating. Olympic sailor Shirley Robertson was competing against the mere mortals for the Gold Roman Bowl which was won by Madeleine, a Folkboat. The skipper decided to hug the coast throughout the race which turned out to be a good tactic on the day. Other notable contestants were Robin Knox Johnston, Di Cafri and Ellen McArthur who crossed the finishing line first at around 0930hrs, albeit in the fastest yacht.

The race was started from the Royal Yacht Squadron starting line at Cowes by Alan Titchmarsh at 0500hrs. The course follows a 53 nautical miles trajectory anti clockwise around the Isle of Wight. Average time is approximately 9 hours although the record held by a multihull is just over 3 hours. Entrants come from all over the world and the race is one of the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) series of events which include the Cowes to Cherbourg trophy and the Fastnet race. There are many hazards to negotiate starting with rounding the Needles lighthouse where Goose Rock and the wreck of the Varvassi await the unwary. The fleet tack across each other at this point to change course sometimes in strong currents and rough seas. The direct course from here can take you close to Irex rock in Scratchells Bay, contact with which could ruin your day. Strong currents and rough seas are encountered for a short while off St Catherines Point. Rounding the bouys off Bembridge Ledge and the Solent Forts is a serious risk of collision with other yachts. The finish line off Cowes was very challenging this year as strong head winds gusting at 25knots and an adverse current together with the constricted space just off the headland called for 4 or 5 tacks before the finishing line could be crossed. Crossing the line gives a huge sense of achievement and no doubt the memory of the race will last long.

Our Bavaria 38 'Dotty Dot' entered for the fourth consequtive year and crossed the line around 1630hrs. We would probably have benefitted from less canvas on the beat home. We were surrounded by a pod of dolphins off Ryde as can be seen in the picture below.

The 3 day yacht race charter package consisted of a warm up sail from Lymington to Cowes on the Friday afternoon with evening ashore Cowes and overnight on board in the Medina river. This allows an early departure around 0530hrs for the start soon afterwards, and the finish is crossed mid afternoon. Evening ashore Cowes where there is a competitor village and live music. Sunday morning sail back to Lymington. Price includes all mooring and race fees and breakfast on board.

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