The RaceThe course
Even if you've never seen or taken part in the race, the Round the Island
Race course really couldn't really be much simpler!
The boats cross the start line at Cowes in ten separate groups, starting every 10 minutes from 0600 until 0720 and heading in a westerly direction towards Yarmouth. The boats pass round the Needles Lighthouse, along the south-west coast of the Island to St. Catherine's Point and then up across Sandown Bay to round the Bembridge Ledge Buoy. The fleet then makes its way either side of No Man's Land Fort and across Osborne Bay to the finish line back at Cowes.
The map above shows the key points of the race. You can also look at the Table of Distances and, for spectators, find out the best vantage points to watch this spectacular race!
Table of distances
| Location | Distance nm | Total distance nm |
|---|---|---|
| START | 0 |
0 |
| Hurst | 10 |
10 |
| Needles | 3.3 |
13.3 |
| St Catherines | 12.8 |
26.1 |
| Dunnose | 5.3 |
31.4 |
| Bembridge Ledge Buoy | 7.1 |
38.5 |
| Forts | 3.9 |
42.4 |
| FINISH | 7.7 |
50.1 |
Observation points
| Island vantage points | Approx. times yachts will pass | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
|
COWES Start
COWES Finish |
0600-0720
0900-2000 |
Via Ward Avenue, Baring Road & Castle Hill to the Parade and the Green either side of the Royal Yacht Squadron. |
| SCONCE POINT | 0730-1000 | From Yarmouth, drive towards Freshwater. Turn right after 1/2 mile and follow signs to Fort Victoria. |
| THE NEEDLES | 0800-1130 | From Freshwater or Totland follow signs to the Needles Car Park. Park and walk up West High Down to Needles Battery. Best view to south of Coast Guard Station. |
| CHILTON CHINE | 0845-1200 | Situated on the cliffs near Brighstone is Chilton Chine (accessible from the Military Road). It has a terrific view of the boats as they sail by. |
| ST. CATHERINE'S POINT | 0930-1330 | From Freshwater, Rookley or Ventnor go to Niton. Take loop road to Buddle Inn. Park and walk down cliffs by lighthouse. |
| VENTNOR | 0945-1400 | Park on Cliff at West End of Esplanade. |
| BONCHURCH | 1000-1430 | Take lane down to sea opposite Bonchurch pond. Take left turn and park in car park at bottom, which is best view. |
| CULVER DOWN | 1030-1530 | From Brading, take Bembridge road. After 1 mile, turn right and follow sign for Culver (on a bend, and lane hairpins up!) |
| RYDE PIER | 1130-1630 | From Ryde Esplanade, drive up pier and park at end. Parking is free for 30 mins, charges apply after that. |
Mainland vantage points |
||
| HURST POINT | 0730-1030 | From Lymington drive to Milford on Sea, take road to Keyhaven, but turn right towards Hurst beach after half a mile. Park at end and walk up Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle. |
| GILKICKER POINT | 1130-1730 | From Gosport drive through Alverstoke towards golf course. Take road through golf course to Gilkicker Point and Fort. |
