The Gold Roman Bowl went to the delighted crew of Sundowner, entered by Jo Hutchinson (left) and Nick Rogers (far right), flanked by Roger Thompson, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Ben Ainslie at today’s Prizegiving at the Island Sailing Club. Image copyright Patrick Eden/Island Sailing Club.
by Peta Stuart-Hunt
After a day dominated by the weather which threw everything it had to offer at the record-breaking fleet that competed in Saturday’s 80th Anniversary J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, the last of the 1900+ yachts home, Pendragon of Dartmouth, a Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40, made it across the finish line a mere three seconds before the line closed officially at 2200hrs, bagging themselves the ‘Tenacity Trophy’ at today’s Prizegiving at the Island Sailing Club.
Some 16,000 sailors faced wind speeds of up to 28 knots and there were huge swells to contend with off the Needles and at St. Catherine’s as the record-breaking fleet of 1,900 yachts undertook this most famous 50 nautical mile westabout Island circumnavigation on Saturday. A number of incidents were reported to the Coastguard, including ‘Man Overboard’ reports and capsizes as well as dismastings. There was a lot of sail damage across the fleet that ranged from high tech racers through to many smaller boats competing. However, a spokesman for the Race Management team at the Island Sailing Club, stressed that some of these incident reports were not attributable to the Race and were involving spectator boats rather than competitors.
Dave Atkinson, Assistant Principal Race Officer of the day said, “It was a successful race for the Island Sailing Club and we have received many compliments on running a great but challenging event. We’re looking forward to welcoming competitors in 2012 for another record-breaking year.”
Thousands of weary but generally happy sailors returned to Cowes and the marinas along the South Coast of England from mid afternoon yesterday, all feeling justifiably proud of their immense achievement in getting round the Island safely in tough conditions for even the most experienced and hardened sailor.
Nick Rogers, who usually sails a 470 with partner Chris Grube, helmed the Contessa 26 Sundowner to victory at the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.
Line Honours went to French skipper Lionel Lemonchois and his 50ft multihull Prince de Bretagne who were first to cross the finish line in 3hrs 49m and 58s.
The final number of boats to cross the finish line in Cowes was 1,302 and there were 438 retirements and 16 DSQ (disqualified) and/or OCS (on course side).
The Race has become progressively more high profile as enhanced technology and communications has helped spread the scale and excitement of the Race farther and more widely around the globe. On Race Day, the total number of page impressions on the Race website amounted to 393,000 which is 100,000 up on 2010’s site visitors. The Race Viewer, allowing online spectators to track boats of their choice, was downloaded by over 32,000 people. The interactive Race Progress Blog produced by the Media Centre and Race Control attracted 17,762 visitors over the course of twelve hours with appreciative comments coming in from as far away as Australia, the Philippines, Mexico and the US.
The Island Sailing Club, the Title Sponsor J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and the Race Partners Britannia Events, Haven Knox-Johnston, Henri Lloyd, Nautica Watches, Old Pulteney Whisky, Raymarine, Red Funnel, Small Luxury Hotels of the World & Volvo Car UK, look forward to welcoming everyone to next year’s Race taking place on Saturday 30th June.
About the Race
Every year in June, over 1,800 boats and 16,000 sailors come from all over the UK and mainland Europe and from as far away as the USA and Australia to converge on Cowes, Isle of Wight, for a one day yacht racing spectacular. They are there to compete in the famous J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, and to follow its notorious 50 nautical mile course around the Island.
From a Race that had its first outing in 1931 with 25 yachts entered, this yachting extravaganza can rightfully claim its 21st century place as the 4th largest participation sporting event in the UK.
Whatever the age, gender or level of ability, amateurs and professionals, first timers and old timers, this Race means something to everyone who enters it.
Today, the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is a festival of sailing that is as keenly followed ashore as it is afloat.
Race Facts & Stats
• The Round the Island Race was first established in 1931
• 2011 Race marks the 80th year of this iconic race being held
• This year’s Race takes place on Saturday 25th June with the first class start at 0600
• The Race starts and finishes in Cowes, Isle of Wight, the centre of British yachting
• The current monohull race record was set by Mike Slade (ICAP Leopard) in 2008 at 3.53.05
• The multihull race record still stands at Francis Joyon’s 2001 time of 3.08.29.
• The Island Sailing Club is grateful for the continued support of the Race Title Sponsor, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and the Race Partners
• The 2011 Event is J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s 7th year as title sponsor and they retain title sponsorship up to and including 2012
• Race Partners in 2011 & 2012: Britannia Events, Haven Knox-Johnston, Henri Lloyd, Nautica Watches, Old Pulteney Whisky, Raymarine, Red Funnel, Small Luxury Hotels of the World & Volvo Car UK
• This is an all-encompassing event that caters for and embraces first timers, families, amateurs and professionals competing at the highest level
• The event strapline is ‘Britain’s Favourite Yacht Race’
• The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is the 4th largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs, with around 16,000 sailors taking part over the course of one day
• 2010’s Race had 1,754 entries and 1,607 finished the Race. This is the highest-ever recorded number of finishers in the history of the Race. There were 47 retirements and 16 disqualifications/OCS (On Course Side of the starting line)
JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race
