The RaceLatest news

Dear Friends,

With the days getting longer, the anticipation for the 2022 sailing season is rising, and our iconic Round the Island Race is sure to be one of the highlights. We've ordered sunshine, favourable winds and tides to make your race one to remember! It's great to hear in our latest video from B&G how much Shirley Robertson OBE and Dee Caffari MBE love the sense of adventure the race brings and how it truly is a 'Race for All'. Watch it here.

Enter today! 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. Contact the Race Team on rir@islandsc.org.uk if you haven't received your pre-filled form by email yet.

We welcome first-time racers, once-a-year racers, seasoned pros and Olympic Medallists. To support your preparations for the race take a look at these helpful information sources:

KEEP TURNING LEFT: This article in Yachts and Yachting has some great tips from seasoned competitors. We agree with Chris Warwick's advice to first timers: "Don't overcook the start! It's a race but it's not a race. It's long - keep it fun. Give yourself clear air. Try to stay in the tide, but in reality you're better off not getting involved in tackling other boats - a clear path is better."

THE LOWDOWN: Race Director, Dave Atkinson, gives the lowdown on questions like 'Why is there a cut off time?' 'Why do the big boats go first?' 'How limited is the tidal window'. Read here.

BLOGS: B&G invites you to get 'Race Day Ready' with their new blog series enabling you to get the most out of your electronics on race day. In the first blog Ben Meakins talks you through how to get the perfect start. Stay tuned for more in this series.

QUESTIONS FOR BEN: Our expert Sailing Secretary, Ben Ferris, is standing by to answer your questions about the race. Send Ben a question on the event website.

FIRST TIMERS' GUIDE: We've produced a handy guide with everything you need to know - from how to enter and what to prepare, to where to berth and what to look out for.

MAKE WAVES

Since 1939, the family-owned Marathon Watch Company (Marathon) has crafted precise, purpose-built, timing instruments for militaries, governments, and search and rescue teams across the globe.

To celebrate being the Official Race Timekeeper Partner, Marathon are launching a Limited Edition Round the Island Race Marathon Stopwatch - a serious piece of shockproof, waterproof, nautical kit. It delivers precision timing to help you get across the start line in perfect time, and the finish line, ahead of the rest. The stopwatch features a unique face design inspired by the race logo and can be pre-ordered for delivery in June. For more information and to buy (RRP £550) please email UKsales@marathonwatch.com.

Marathon Watch is offering 15% off their watch collection for all friends of the race until 30 September 2022. Discover the Marathon Search & Rescue (SAR™) Collection, the ideal partner for your next adventure at sea here. Enter the code below at checkout to receive your discount. Shop wrist-watch collections here

CODE: RaceForAll2022 - valid from 14 April to 30 September 2022.

HELLY HANSEN - KEEP SAFE ON THE WATER

Helly Hansen is working in partnership with the RNLI to offer a free Lifejacket Clinic, which will take place at the HH Cowes store on Friday 24 June. RNLI volunteers will be performing vital lifejacket checks to make sure competitors are ocean ready and prepared for the race. On top of this and to keep sailors safe while racing, HH is offering all participants in the Round the Island Race a 30% discount voucher to use towards a new HH personal flotation device. Visit the website and enter the code below at checkout to receive your discount.

Code: HHRTRAPRL22 - valid from 14 to 25 April 2022.

As well as kitting out more than 150 volunteers and organisers for the event, Helly Hansen has developed a merchandised capsule collection, which incorporates some of the brand's favourite technical pieces, along with new pieces for 2022 that use its most responsible materials to date. The collection will be available to pre-order from May 2022.

TROPHIES

There are over one hundred trophies up for grabs and most boats have the chance to win four or five different prizes! Take a look at the 2022 Trophy list. This year, eight lucky boats will also be awarded a prize of a Swiss made General Purpose Marathon Watch.

OUR CHARITY

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is delighted to once again be the Official Charity for the Round the Island Race. Up to 30 young people living through and beyond cancer will take to the water in this year's event, being inspired to believe in a brighter future through the Trust's sailing and outdoor adventures.

For many young people picking up where they left off before cancer isn't possible, so when treatment ends the Trust's work begins. Long-time Trust skipper, Becky Ellis, will take the helm of one of the Trust entries. She said: "Doing the race gives the young people such a sense of achievement. It's something they can always look back on, a big visual in their minds - that start line is something you never forget." ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org

Thanks for all your support and we look forward to seeing you on the start line.

Round the Island Race Team and the Island Sailing Club