The Round the Island Race remains one of the most iconic events of the sailing calendar, enjoyed by both top professional sailors on the international stage and families in modest cruising yachts, many of which take part in no other races during the season.
The first start this year is at 0600BST, just over half an hour before high water Portsmouth, so the tidal stream will already be setting to the west, with maximum strength close to the Island and up to around a quarter of a mile offshore, near Gurnard north cardinal buoy.
The smallest boats will have until around 1200-1230 to clear the tidal gate at the Needles, around 12 miles from the start line. For slower vessels, in the event of a light airs race, the time limit is 2200.
One point that’s rarely mentioned – perhaps because it’s almost too obvious – is that in a race of this length around a substantial land mass there are several significant wind changes during the race. Yet managing each transition is essential and this is where many editions of the race are won and lost.
Key moments include west Solent to Hurst; rounding the Needles and becoming settled on a fast course to St Catherine’s; dealing with
