Round the Island Race
7th July 0630 1000+ boats
The Lifeboat was afloat from 0530 until late in the evening to ensure the 100’s of racers – many coming out of Southampton Water and the River Hamble – are safe.
2017 we saw a new multihulled record set completing the 70 miles in 2h 22m and 2013 saw the record set by a mono hull at 3h 43mins.
The annual Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight, an island situated off the south coast of England. The race regularly attracts over 1,400 boats and around 15,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs.
Competitors come from all over the UK, other parts of Europe and as far away as the USA to follow the 50 nautical mile course round the Isle of Wight. Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, the fleet races westabout, to The Needles, round St Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, and back into the Solent to the finish line at Cowes.
Spectators can find many vantage points, both on the mainland and Isle of Wight, to watch the race progress. The first start in Cowes for the 2018 race is at 6.30am, and you can find more information about where the boats typically are at different times during the day by clicking here. Those who cannot get to watch in person can always keep an eye on the race’s progress on the website, via our live text commentary and our boat tracking facility.
Nearly 200 prizes are awarded for the event, with boats of every shape and size competing to win individual class and overall trophies.