Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club Round the Island Race
by Steve Arkley 9 Sep 2009 09:21 BST
5 September 2009
This year’s Round the Island Race held on Saturday was a big success with 138 competing boats, and over 200 competitors in total taking part. The annual race, now in its 51st year, is organised by the Isle Of Sheppey Sailing Club, and is the longest of it’s type in Europe for dinghies, catamarans and boards, covering up to 40 miles depending on wind and tide.
Fortunately, the weather turned out to be near perfect on Saturday with a moderate force 4-5 westerly breeze and sunshine, quite a difference to Friday’s severe gale force winds!
First to finish were Will Sunnucks and Ryan Crawford sailing an M20 catamaran, who completed the course in a very quick time of 2 hours, 14 minutes.
Overall winner on handicap was club member and islander Toby Orpin and crew Lewis Crawford sailing a Hobie Tiger catamaran, who completed the circumnavigation in 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Full results can be found on the club website at www.iossc.org.uk/islandrace/index.php