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Entries for the world-famous Round the Island Race opened at midnight on 25th January and quickly exceeded the record first-day entry total, as competitors flocked to take part in the world’s best-loved race. By the end of the day, 151 boats had taken advantage of the early-bird discount to register their entry, breaking the previous record by nearly 30%.

The Round the Island Race - which this year takes place on 29th June - is popular with everyone from world-renowned, professional sailors to families and first-time racers, and boasts a range of classes including monohulls, multihulls, Gaffers, Classics and dayboats. Organised by the Isle of Wight’s Island Sailing Club since 1931, the race is one of the UK’s largest participation sporting events and is expected to attract over 1,500 boats and thousands of sailors from all over Great Britain, mainland Europe and from as far away as the USA. It will begin and end in Cowes, and as in previous years, the race will be supporting The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust as the official race charity.

Spectators will be able to enjoy fantastic views of the race from St Catherine’s Point, Ventnor, Bonchurch, Culver Down and Ryde Pier. People watching online or on TV at home, and spectating live on the day, will be able to keep track of specific yachts using the ngTrack app, and will be kept up-to-date by a live blog to be published on the Round the Island Race website over the course of the day. Sailors can also ‘race’ friends using private groups in the app, which is able to show live progress of their friends’ yachts.

The Round the Island Race is creating two new double-handed trophies for the IRC Class and the Multihull Grand Prix and Racing Class in 2019. Overall, nearly 200 prizes are awarded at the event, with boats of every shape and size competing to win individual class and overall trophies.  An entertainment programme will provide a festival of sailing at the race village and this will start at midday on Friday 28th June 2019.

Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, David Atkinson said: “The Round the Island Race offers a unique experience for sailors from around the world to race against a range of yachts. It is a true spectacle to see multihull sports boats compete in the same race as Gaffers and dayboats.

“Every year brings an entirely new racing experience for participants, and we hope that this year sees favourable winds and sunshine. The Round the Island Race is often well attended by families, and for many it will be their only race of 2019. It is a great opportunity to meet like-minded friends and enjoy a fantastic atmosphere offshore, as well as onshore in the race village.”

The Round the Island Race is being sponsored by Helly Hansen, Raymarine, MS Amlin and Chelsea Magazines.

Sailors interested in participating in the event can enter online at rtir.me/entries. Early bird entries are available until 28th February.