The Island Sailing Club has announced that entries are now open for the 2024 edition of Britain's Favourite Yacht Race, which is being held on Saturday 15th June. This year's race will start an hour after sunrise at 06:00, so competitors are expected to enjoy a spectacular first leg down to The Needles, together with a welcome early finish back in Cowes.
Race Director, David Atkinson said: 'The Race Team are incredibly excited to launch this year's edition of the race, and with an earlier date, it's sure is to be an exhilarating start to the 2024 Summer Sailing Season. We carefully choose the start time and date to provide the optimal tidal conditions for the race, and with such a wonderfully varied fleet we want to ensure that all competitors can reach and round The Needles.
'The race experience is so different each year, and I think this is why our competitors are addicted to returning year after year. Also, I'd say the camaraderie out on the water is unrivalled; it's such a pleasure to see so many sailors having such a great time.'
It's simple to enter, and if you've entered before you can use our pre-filled entry form containing all your details to save you time. Look out for a separate email which we will be sending to you with your pre-filled form in the next few days. Contact the Race Team on rir@islandsc.org.uk if you have any questions or don't receive this email.
What's your aim for the 2024 race? Enjoy an incredible day on the water with friends and family, go for a prize or break a record? The course records stand at 3h 43m 50s for a monohull boat, set by Mike Slade on ICAP Leopard in 2013, and 2h 22m 23s for a multihull boat, set by Ned Collier Wakefield on Concise 10 in 2017.
RNLI named as Official Charity
This year, the RNLI has been named as the Official Race Charity. All donations raised will go to the seven stations involved in the race and specifically for the training of their volunteer crews. You will be able to donate when you enter or via their Just Giving Page.
Claire Johnson, Fundraising & Partnerships Lead South East for the RNLI said: 'We have always been immensely supportive and proud of our involvement with the Island Sailing Club and Round the Island Race, and to be named the Official Charity Partner in the same year that we mark two centuries of saving lives at sea is a real honour. We are delighted that we can continued to support the safety and enjoyment of such a wonderful event and receive funds from kind donors, allowing us to continue to provide world-class training for our volunteer crews across the seven stations involved on the day of the race and, ultimately, to save more lives throughout the year.'
B&G Race Support Programme
Official Race Partner, B&G, will be providing a Race Support Programme which will include B&G's team of experts hosting exclusive webinar events for competitors to help them get the most out of their electronics as they prepare for race day. Experts will also be on-site in the run-up to the start to assist with any last-minute queries.
The Island Sailing Club would like to invite race competitors to become members and is offering an exclusive membership package. Information is available here or please contact the ISC office to find out more.
Opportunities to become an Official Race Partner for the 2024 race and beyond are available. Please contact sponsorship@islandsc.org.uk.
For more race information and to take advantage of great Early Bird Entry Deals visit the event website www.roundtheisland.org.uk.
For all the latest news on social media - @roundtheisland and #RoundTheIsland #RaceForAll.