The RaceAn introduction to the race

The annual Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight, an island situated off the south coast of England. The race regularly attracts over 1,200 boats and around 10,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs.

Competitors come from all over the UK and worldwide to follow the 50 nautical mile course round the Isle of Wight. Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, the fleet races westabout, to The Needles, round St Catherine's Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, and back into the Solent to the finish line at Cowes.

Spectators can find many vantage points, both on the mainland and the Isle of Wight, to watch the race progress. Those who cannot get to watch in person can always keep an eye on the race's progress on the website, social media and our boat tracking facility.

A great and landmark event and an enormous credit to the Island Sailing Club...the sheer professionalism of the management team is impressive

The race is a great opportunity to watch world-renowned sailors racing against families and first-time racers. Although the majority of the fleet will take many hours to complete the race, 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.

Nearly 200 prizes are awarded for the event, with boats of every shape and size competing to win individual class and overall trophies.

Why do I enter the race? Because I always do! Just love the race. Has to be the greatest spectacle ever. Long may it last!

Whether you compete regularly or are new to the sport, sailing in one of the world's most iconic sailing events and in some of the best (and most challenging) sailing waters is a day to remember!

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