Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2014 | Page 47

ON THE WATER the absolute limit. We stagger the boats through 11 starts, 10 minutes apart, and the Eastern Solent is actually closed down to other shipping so the race can get underway. Sometimes there are cruise liners out there waiting for the Eastern Solent to re-open.” The date and timing of the race are important aspects of its success. If it gets underway too late in the morning, the tide can turn; the wind can die and many competitors can be left ‘high and dry’ almost before they have crossed the start line. Lea explained: “The steering group’s job is to run the race, and report regally to the general committee of the Island Sailing Club. Normally after the race has finished we send out a questionnaire, and from that we develop the race for the following year. We have to start the race about two hours before high water, but we wouldn’t start any earlier than 5am. “Month by month before the race we look at what needs to be done, and what changes if any need to be made. Apart from running the race itself, we also have to look after the sponsorship side of things, because sponsors are now a very important part of the event. Cowes Yacht Haven becomes the race village, with the entertainment and prize giving taking place there, and it has become much more than just a race these days; it is a big social event on the calendar.” One of the biggest headaches for the organisers is that many competitors attempt the race having never sailed outside the Solent before, and suddenly find themselves battling the elements on the south side of the Island. There is a time limit on the race, but with some boats taking up to 16 hours to circumnavigate the Island it can become gruelling and extremely tiring, especially for the novices. All competitors are issued with a safety booklet to try to ensure a safe passage, especially as the wreck of the 3,8775-ton Greek steamer Varvassi, which sank in 1947 just off The Needles, has been hit by boats on numerous Lea Bennett occasions. John said: “The ideal conditions are a north-westerly wind of four to five or even six knots; that is when records are broken. Two records, the monohull and multihull, were both broken last year when conditions were near perfect.” The multihull record went to multi-Olympic sailing gold medallist Ben Ainslee, a good friend of John, who went round in his boat ‘Rita’ - which in fact is the name he calls all his boats! Afterwards Ben described it as: “The perfect race.” He will be competing again this year, and no doubt looking for another perfect voyage. Commodore John was born and bred on the Island, and has been a member of the Island Sailing Club nearly 40 years. He served his first term as Commodore from 1998 to 2001, and agreed to return on a 12-month interim basis until this November. He has been involved in the Round the Island race for many years, both competing and organising. His talents do not end there, with two Sydney to Hobart races under his belt as well at the Fastnet Race in 1979, before he finished ocean racing in 1986. He said: “My grandfather was a sailor and my father was in the Merchant Navy.