Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012 | Page 70

ON THE WATER

Cowes Week on way after...

Round the Island
proves real test

High winds and pounding waves failed
to dampen the enthusiasm of the vast
majority of the crews who took part in
this year’s Round the Island yacht race.
A total of 1,647 boats, in 25 different
classes, made it to the start line, and
despite a string of retirements and a
handful of disqualifications, there were
an impressive 1,198 finishers within
the 10.0pm deadline.
At the prize-giving, hosted by the
Island Sailing Club, the upbeat
audience was welcomed by the Club’s
Commodore Rod Nicholls who made
special mention of the Coastguard and
inshore lifeboat services, who worked
tirelessly throughout the race.
The winner of the prestigious Gold
Roman Bowl for first boat overall
on IRC handicap was Tony Langley’s
TP52 Manroland Sheetfed. Competing
in IRC 0, Manroland Sheetfed (aka
Weapon of Choice) was the second
monohull to complete the course,
finishing in 4hrs, 42mins and 12secs
to win on corrected time by just 3
minutes.
As the first monohull to finish,
the Observer Trophy went to Mike
Slade and ICAP Leopard whilst the
Silver Roman Bowl was won by last
year’s Gold Roman Bowl winner, Jo
Hutchinson, on Sundowner. Next
year’s Round the Island Race is on
Saturday, June 1, but for now the
sailing spotlight focuses on Cowes
Week, which gets underway on August
12.
And organisers have announced a
varied programme of shore-side events
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Manroland Sheetfed, IRC by Paul Wyeth

ICAP Leopard by Chris Boynton

and activities to complement the race
schedule. The Family Day returns on
August 12 with a range of free and
discounted activities.
Ladies Day takes place on August
16, in recognition of the major
successes of women in one of the few
mainstream sports where men and

women compete on equal terms.
The Best of British Celebration Day
is on August 17 with the Skandia
Team GBR present just a week after
competing at the Olympic Games. The
day’s activities will culminate in the
traditional fireworks display, taking
place at 9.30pm.