The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 84th edition is set up and open for entries

THE ISLAND SAILNG CLUB IS ALL SET TO OPEN ENTRIES FOR THE 84th EDITION OF BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE YACHT RACE

by Peta Suart-Hunt

The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised annually by the Island Sailing Club (ISC) in Cowes, is on many a sailor’s bucket list. Thousands have competed since the Race was first held in 1931 with entry numbers peaking at 1,908 in the 80^th Anniversary year in 2011.

 Since then, the Race has enjoyed steady entry numbers averaging 1,500 boats and around 16,000 sailors competing annually. One of the unique attractions of this Race is its even-handedness and the opportunity for Olympic and World champion sailors to be racing alongside amateurs, families and club sailors of all ages.

 Much of the competitor feedback from 2014 reveals the variety of reasons why sailors compete and then want to come back year after year:

“I wanted my Father (80) to experience it. He has been home sitting his wife (my Mum) who has Altzheimers for the last 3 years and hasn’t been able to get away for a break. This was his first holiday from being a carer in 3 years. He thoroughly enjoyed it. He has been a boat owner for 40 years this year as well as reaching 80, has won over 700 races during that time and has taught the whole family and many members of the sailing club how to sail, set up their boats and repair the damage when it all goes wrong. He deserved to see it at least once before he goes. We hope to get him down again next year.”

“Tradition, this was our 28th consecutive year.  Always a great weekend.  Love the mix of different boats.”

 “I entered with a group of friends from work, all of whom sail with me at other times, but not usually all at the same time. By entering the race and bringing them all together the race is a good event to aim for and something to look forward to with great friendship and teamwork.  We don’t race at other times and do it to be part of the fun.”

Come and join in the fun! Entries open at 00.01 on January 9^th.

The Race takes place on Saturday June 27^th with a first start time scheduled for 0700. http://www.rtir.me/entries

There’s still time to enter the Free Entry Prize Draw!

The ISC is running a Draw for THREE FREE ENTRIES into this year’s Race.

There’s just about time to still enter the January draw (drawn 9th Jan), and plenty of time to get your entry in for February (drawn 6th Feb) and March (drawn 6th March) with one entry per month up for grabs. So go for it and tick off another item on your wish list!

For details, terms & conditions and entry click: http://www.rtir.me/competition

Dame Ellen MacArthur receives a cheque from ISC Commodore Mark Wynter for the total funds raised to date for the Trust through its partnership with the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. Photo: Mark Lamble.

Official Charity, EMCT, on board until 2016

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is delighted that it will remain the official charity of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race for a further two years.

 After a successful official partnership since 2011, the Trust takes this opportunity to thank the Island Sailing Club and the competitors in the Round the Island Race who have helped them raise over £189,000 over the last three years.  The money raised has given 378 young people in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing on the Trust’s four-day yacht adventures around the Solent on the South Coast and in Largs, Scotland.

 Taking part in the Round the Island Race each year with the young people from the Trust, Dame Ellen MacArthur adds:

 “The Round the Island Race is a unique event in the UK sailing calendar, and a race which I’ve been part of for many years now and in many different boats! It’s a wonderful spectacle which the 25 young people we take out on the water each year absolutely love. I sail on one of our 5 boats each year, and the race is an inspirational and important event for us. At the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust we are all very proud of our partnership with the Round the Island Race and the outstanding support the competitors have shown the Trust over the years.”

 http://www.justgiving.com/company/roundtheisland

 http://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org

 The Island Sailing Club is grateful for the continued support of the Race Title Sponsor, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and the Race Partners: Dream Yacht Charter, Haven Knox-Johnston, Henri Lloyd, Old Pulteney, Raymarine, Volvo Car UK.