The 2016 J. P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race takes place tomorrow, Saturday, 2nd July, with HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO set to join Race officials on the Squadron platform to commence the starting sequence and fire the cannon for the first start at 0830.
The spectacular Round the Island Race continues to attract an extraordinarily eclectic mix of entries whether it be the boats or their owners (and sometimes both); enthusiastic mariners from all walks of life, and representing all levels of the sport and all age groups.
Entries closed at a very respectable 1,533 and the oldest boat competing in this year’s Race is almost certain to be Thalia (Sail #11). Built in 1888, she was one of the last yachts by George Wanhill of Poole who was boatbuilding from the 1850s onwards.
A host of bright sailing stars will be taking part in the 2016 RTIR including last year’s Gold Roman Bowl winner, Giovanni Belgrano and Whooper. Also back on the start line is Alex Thomson skippering the 2015 IMOCA 60 Hugo Boss. Alex’s new 60ft racing yacht has been designed by VPLP/Verdier and the Alex Thomson Racing Team and built at Green Marine in Southampton. One of British sailing’s golden girls and part of Team Volvo, Helena Lucas MBE, is returning to skipper a chartered Elan 450 Squire Patton Boggs. Helena made history claiming the 2.4mR Paralympic Gold medal at London 2012 and she is now continuing on the road to Rio 2016 on a quest for her second gold medal.
As reported a few weeks ago, Race organisers at the Island Sailing Club (ISC) in Cowes have taken the unusual decision to amend the finish time of this year’s Round the Island Race to help alleviate any concerns competitors may have about being able to complete the Race within the usual time limit and so the finish deadline has been extended by 30 minutes to 2230.
RTI event TV
RTI TV coverage of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race will once again include live streaming of the Race to a worldwide audience. This live coverage will be broadcast on EventTV in Cowes, including at CHC’s Shepards Wharf Marina in The Sugar Store Events Centre.
For full competitor and spectator information, please visit the RTI event website:
www.roundtheisland.org.uk/.
RTI safety and navigation
In order to control the congestion that is likely to arise in the Central Solent during the start period and throughout the day, a number of navigational ‘traffic restrictions’ will be put in place. Plus, temporary moorings to facilitate the RTI finish line vessels have been laid.
Mariners are advised to check all recent Cowes Local Notices to Mariners and refer in particular to Cowes LNTMs No 37(T) and No 39(T) of 2016.
Weather forecasts and tide tables for Cowes can be viewed on the CHC website at Weather and Tides.
RTI at The Sugar Store
The Sugar Store Events Centre at Shepards Wharf Marina will be open for the Round the Island Race weekend on Friday, 1st and Saturday, 2nd July. EaziBar will be serving cold beer, ciders, a variety of wines and spirits, plus a selection of soft drinks to all visiting sailing teams, friends and family.
In addition, Amabi Restaurant & Tapas Bar will be offering a ‘Round the Island BBQ’ at The Sugar Store, starting at 1700 on both Friday and Saturday, where you can enjoy Island gourmet burgers, speciality sausages, four-rib stead, and authentic paella. On race day, Amabi will be serving breakfast from 0600 in the morning with tea, coffee and cold drinks, bacon and sausage baps to grab-and-go, and vegetarian options too. You can also order your crew lunches to take away.
For more information visit: RTI at The Sugar Store.
Top photo: J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race start, 2015. Copyright Paul Wyeth.
