Largest Yacht Race of its Kind in the World

The Round the Island Race started in 1931 with 25 boats, and when the 83rd edition commences this Saturday, there will be in excess of 1580 yachts competing. Hosted and run by the Cowes-based Island Sailing Club, the massive fleet will head off from Cowes, England on the 50 nautical mile course around the Isle of Wight.

This Race continues to retain a special place in sailors’ hearts and its popularity continues to increase as organisers point to a 7% growth in the number of ‘first timers’ signing up to experience one of the most iconic yacht races in the world.

The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is indeed the largest yacht race of its kind in the world and it is also one of the largest participation sports in the UK attracting over 15,000 sailors to its start line. The fleet commences June 21 at 6:30am.

Race Meteorologist Chris Tibbs is predicting some good, if light, sailing conditions for the big Race. “It’s certainly looking good at the moment with the jet stream migrating north – and being high pressure there’s reasonable confidence that the pattern will stay for the next week to 10 days.”

There is also a host of fabulous shoreside activity to keep family and friends of all ages occupied over the Race weekend. The Red Funnel Food Festival with its cookery theatre and the Festival of the Sea being celebrated by businesses all over the Island.

Race website: http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk

Source: Event media