Round the Island Race entries span generations in unique 'Race for All'

Eleanor - "a proper little yacht" © Patricia Collins

The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race has long been an attractive Race for families to compete in and this year is no exception with hundreds of entries vying to win the J.P. Morgan Family Trophy in ISCRS.

Bill Collins is finally achieving a long-held ambition to compete. Aged 82, Bill will be on board Eleanor (T120), a 1969 Trident triple keel, entered by the Collins family from London. Bill's two sons and his daughter-in-law are joining him on board this 24 footer, often referred to as 'a proper little yacht'.

The Trident 24 was one of Alan F. Hill's earliest and most successful designs. This was the first cruising boat built by Marcon Marine, the company founded by Eric White who pioneered the idea of home-completed kits to make cruising affordable to the ordinary working man. The Trident laid the foundation for the company that by the 1970s was moulding 19 different GRP designs, including the Rival and Nicholson 45.

The Livesey family, also from London, is also heading for the start line on June 21st to compete aboard their Van de Stadt 30 Kiwi Flight (GBR7238T). Mum Maria, Dad Colin and their three sons Christos, Michalis and Nicos, will all race for the J.P. Morgan Family Trophy.

Rum & Ginger (FRA15012) is a bit different! Four brothers (Alan 'Willie' Thornewill, John 'BJ' Thornewill, Mark 'Mutley' Thornewill, Robert 'Bob' Thornewill) and one cousin (Andrew 'Flip-flop' Gilboy) are racing this JOD35. Intrigued, I contacted Willie to find out more and he provided the following details that we take pleasure in sharing.

"We have all sailed in one way shape or form for many years; adventurous training with the Army for Bob, Mark was a champion board sailor for the Army Air Corps, John is a dinghy sailor and Andy and I have been with the Royal Navy team for many years. 1997 was my first entry in the RTI for HMS SULTAN but we've only been able to get us all together since I, as the youngest of the brothers, completed my 22 years service in 2007.

"As Armed Service veterans from 1972 when Bob joined the Army, through to 2007 when I left the Navy, it needed an exceptional string of coincidences to get more that two or three of us together in one place. Until that time, service from Germany, Northern Ireland, Brunei and Antarctica to wars in the Balkans, the Gulf and the Falklands Islands, made it nigh on impossible. Since 2007 we have made sure that we get together more often, annually for the Army vs Navy rugby match and for the Round the Island Race."

Band of Brothers - the Thornewills - photo © Thornewills family

Willie continued:

"Yacht Rum & Ginger is my 50th birthday present to myself, or rather competing in the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race in the 2-Handed class is my present to myself. Being able to use her for the RTI is a real bonus. As always, our aim is to get round the course with all our fingers and toes, and the boat, in one piece before the beer runs out. The swear box and fines, for such crimes as stating the obvious or opening your mouth to change which ever foot was there previously, will be going to Toe in the Water."

A 1973 Westerly Longbow Arrow (L163) is also targeting the J.P. Morgan Family Trophy this year. Skipper (& Dad) George Nevin, wrote on his entry form:

"Positioning to be a serious round the island campaigner having got a mention in 2012 as the last boat on the water (our 50 year-old mainsail broke), followed by half way up the fleet at 590 in 2013. If we improve as much in 2014, 'Team Archers' has to be looking for a top 10 place on Handicap. However, we will settle for crossing the line and having a great day out."

Team Archers comprises George plus three offspring, James Harvey Nevin aged 21, Sarah Harvey Nevin aged 19, Maddy Harvey Nevin aged 17 and David Bridge (no age given), the Cook!

The fourteen year-old daughters of the co-owners of Trisuli (GBR2048L), a Bavaria 34, are competing in their first Round the Island Race, which is in fact their first-ever yacht race! Both are in the safe hands of their dads Calum Mercer, an experienced skipper, and co-owner Phil Devin who is the most experienced sailor on board. Daughters Anna Mercer and Nicole Devin will also be joined by Anna's Aunt, Lindsay Cunningham, another experienced sailor who completed the ARC2013.

Fair winds and the best of luck to all the families racing in this year's Round the Island Race.

The J.P. Morgan Family Trophy is open to any boat entering in ISCRS where more than half the people on board are members of the same family.

For more information on the Race and how to enter, please visit: www.roundtheisland.org.uk

The Island Sailing Club is grateful for the continued support of the Race Title Sponsor, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and the Race Partners for 2014: Dream Yacht Charter, Haven Knox-Johnston, Henri Lloyd, Nautica Watches, Old Pulteney, Raymarine, Red Funnel, Volvo Car UK.