19 days and counting... carpe diem!

With high hopes for his 2016 Race is Ian Bowker (blue cap) & friends on 'High Hopes' © JPAMRTI

What is it about THIS particular Race that touches the spot in thousands of sailors' hearts and continues to attract such huge interest around the world, including this year from a larger than usual entry of first timers and families? Everyone you ask has a different response as the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race means so many different things to so many different people.

The Race welcomes back Ian Bowker and friends on High Hopes, one of the regular Dubois half tonners, unmodified with original mast, keel and rudder. They have plenty of experience in this event, having completed four consecutive races up to 2014 with a regular crew.

Ian loves the Race, explaining:

"Our best RTI result, in an increasingly competitive IRC Class 3C filled with quarter tonners, was 5th in class and 98th overall in the windy 2011 race, where we held a spinnaker from the Needles to Bembridge managing 15 knots down a wave off Freshwater.

"We enjoy the variety, challenge and beauty of the Solent and the Island, as well as the atmosphere and spectacle created by the number of boats in the RTI. We're hoping that despite our age, both crew and boat have many years left in them!"

Sadly, High Hopes didn't end up competing last year as Ian suffered heart failure the day before the Race but, with superb treatment, a fantastic network of support, and huge determination, he is back for the 2016 Race with this message:

"While other competitors may wait until the end of the race to find out how they have done, I consider I will have won if and when we cross the starting line. It will be a privilege to just take part, and a culmination of all the work from the many people involved in my recovery."

Ways to follow the Race

www.roundtheisland.org.uk

• Website: On the Day - News on the Hour - a handy snapshot of what's been happening out on the race course brought to you by expert sailor & yachting journalist Rupert Holmes

• Website: On the Day - Tracking - if you're racing and you have registered your mobile for tracking (once this service has gone live), your family & friends can follow your progress as you race around the Isle of Wight. It also really helps the comms team and race management to see where you are!

• Website: On the Day - RTI TV - broadcasting live with on-water and shoreside commentary from the Island Sailing Club covering the starts & first finishers. Supplemented by the Race Control Blog reporting from Race HQ at the ISC. On air from 0800 and interspersed with interviews with competitors, race partners, experts.

• Website: On the Day - LIVE Blog - our team of bloggers will once again be interacting with competitors, family & friends and media around the world to bring you the colour, atmosphere and a sense of the sheer scale of the greatest yacht race in the world.

• Social Media: Follow us for Race news & comment on Facebook www.facebook.com/roundtheisland & on Twitter @roundtheisland using #raceforall

• Race Village: The Race Village will be showing RTI TV live on the big screen so that spectators can keep in touch with the action while we're on air.

• Royal Southern Yacht Club: The mainland Race 'Hub Club' in Hamble will be showing live RTI TV from Friday night's Raymarine Weather Briefing, held at the Island Sailing Club, through Saturday's live starts and first finishers.

So, if you would like to join Ian Bowker & co on the start line for this year's Race, please head over to rtir.me/entries and register your boat before the close of Standard Entries at midnight on Saturday 18th June.

www.roundtheisland.org.uk