#roundtheislandrace– Actual, the French Multi 50 Trimaran has taken line honours in today's J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.
In an action packed race four incidents have been reported by the race management team at the Island Sailing Club. There have been two head injuries and one spinal injury. Families have been informed and the Island Sailing Club will provide updates as further information becomes available. A small multihull capsized North of Hamstead Ledge on the North-West of the Island. All crew are safely onshore in Yarmouth.
Whilst still too early to reveal the Gold Roman Bowl winner, some class wins are now looking more final with potentially an IRC 0 win for Tony Langley's TP52 Manroland Sheetfed, and David Apthorp's J/111 J-Dream, winning IRC Group 1.
The triple Olympic gold and silver medallist Ben Ainslie and the race crew on board the largest boat ever to compete in the Race, the 162ft Eleonora, had a great day on the water but back on shore Ben Ainslie commented that they were unable to notch up a decent overall result and ended up in 47th place in IRC 0. Speaking about his day on the water, and his last big event before the Olympic Games, Ben said: "It was a lovely day, a beautiful boat and amazing racing, and totally different to what I'm used to."
Congratulations are in order for many of those out racing today with so many individual stories to tell as usual. Race Partner Britannia had a number of entries in today's race. The crew of Reflex 38, Jaguar Logic won class IRC 1B as well as taking 2nd overall in IRC 1. The crew only trained together for the first time the day before the Race and comprised two complete novices who have never raced before under the guidance of skipper, Tim Thuberon who put together a team who had never even been round the Island before! Well done them.
There were plenty of retirements throughout the day, and racing for some of the smaller classes including sportsboats, J80s, 707s, SB20s (formerly known as SB3s) and the small MOCRA multihull fleet (LOA less than 9.15m), had racing cancelled, but generally competitors enjoyed some fantastic racing in spirited conditions.
Pictured above is The 'Eleonora' at the needles, in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, which started from the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, at 07.00 today.
The Round the Island Race is the 4th largest participation sporting event in the UK. Organised by the Island Sailing Club, it is dubbed Britain's favourite yacht race, attracting over 1,800 yachts and 16,000 competitors.
Sailors come to compete from all over the UK and mainland Europe and from as far away as the USA and Australia to converge on Cowes, Isle of Wight, for a one day yacht racing spectacular. They are there to compete in the famous J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, and to follow its notorious 50 nautical mile course around the Island.
From a Race that had its first outing in 1931 with 25 yachts entered, this yachting extravaganza can rightfully claim its 21st century place as the 4th largest participation sporting event in the UK. Whatever the age, gender or level of ability, amateurs and professionals, first timers and old timers, this Race means something to everyone who enters it. Today, the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is a festival of sailing that is as keenly followed ashore as it is afloat.
