The most popular race in the British Isles takes place tomorrow, with 1,754 boats heading around the Isle of Wight on a chaotic one-lap race. The fleet boasts a huge range of craft, from Francois Joyon's 30-metre trimaran Idec to a fleet of 14 Laser SB3s and everything in between.
Four Extreme 40 catamarans will line out, nine J/80s, three Class 40s, two Volvo 60s, a pair of TP52s and a host of other craft, including two of Ireland's Commodores Cup team, Antix and Roxy 6.
The course couldn't be simpler, one counter-clockwise lap of the Isle of Wight, but with the Solent's famous tides and light airs to contend with, this could be a long and tricky day on the water.
The official website is HERE, and this year the race is using a nifty tracker that utilises iPhones, Blackberries, laptops or other smartphones, with a downloadable app all you need for your boat to show up on the tracker. Details HERE. Very clever.
