Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Entries open for the 2020 Round the Island Race

by Jo Bowden 3 Jan 2020 15:23 GMT 30 May 2020
Round the Island Race fleet © Island Sailing Club

Entries for the world-famous Round the Island Race opened midnight last night, 3 January. The first competitor to sign-up was Martin Thomas, who completed the formalities for his three-year-old Bridgedeck Multihull INXSA in just 179 seconds, winning a bottle of Mermaid Gin for his efforts!

Organised by the much-respected Island Sailing Club, the Round the Island Race (RIR) is one of the UK's largest participation sporting events and is expected to attract over 1,500 boats and thousands of sailors. This year's event will take place on Saturday 30 May, a few weeks earlier than usual to accommodate tidal conditions. With starts beginning shortly after sunrise, competitors are expected to enjoy a spectacular first leg down to the Needles, together with a welcome early finish back in Cowes.

Racing over 50 nautical miles around the breath-taking Isle of Wight coastline, the fleet will include racing and cruising monohulls, multihulls, Gaffers, Classics and dayboats taking on one of the world's best loved sailing challenges - a unique day of fun, excitement, team-spirit and achievement.

Dave Atkinson, Round the Island Event Director said: "The Island Sailing Club is proud to host this iconic event. It's a fantastic privilege to welcome professional sailors, Olympians, club racers, families and one-off racers from all over the world to compete on a single race course.

We want our ambition of a 'Race For All' to build even more momentum this year. Our team are working on some thrilling new ways for all competitors and spectators to enjoy the run-up and event day - watch this space!

Following the success last year of The Race Village on The Parade in Cowes, we're bringing it back by popular demand. There's going to be a full entertainment schedule and lots of food and drinks options to choose from. With an expected early finish this year, it's definitely going to be the place to enjoy a well-earned post-race beer with friends and family."

The Round the Island race has a strong tradition of fundraising for charities with over £500,000 raised since 2006. As in previous years The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is the official race charity. Their work is focused on rebuilding confidence of young people after cancer through sailing and adventure. They are joined in their support of the race by event partners Helly Hansen, Raymarine, MS Amlin Insurance and Chelsea Magazines.

Early Bird entries are available online until 1st February and competitors are encouraged to get their entries in early to take advantage of the discounts on offer. For more details and how to register to take part in Round the Island Race 2020, visit roundtheislandrace.org.uk.

Related Articles

Prize Round the Island Race for 84-year-old Peter
Taking line honours on the helm of his old boat Peter Cunningham hailed the Round the Island Race after taking line honours on the helm of his old boat. Peter, who was first to finish the 2021 race with his PowerPlay Racing Team, repeated the feat on the multihull MOD70, now Zoulou. Posted on 9 Jun
Martin Augustus Round the Island Race Gallery
Top photos as the fleet rounded St. Catherine's Point Top yachting photographer Martin Augustus was at St. Catherine's Point to catch some of the fleet rounding the famous landmark during this year's Round the Island Race. Posted on 8 Jun
Tom Hicks Round the Island Race Photo Gallery
Stunning images from the Solent photographer out on the water Stunning photos from Solent Photographer Tom Hicks out on the water as he caught the action in the 2025 Round the Island Race on Saturday. Posted on 8 Jun
One month to go until Round the Island Race
Over 600 boats have already signed up for this year's event One of sailing's most iconic races is just a month away, and there's still time to be part of it. Over 600 boats have already signed up for this year's Round the Island Race, which takes place on Saturday 7th June. Posted on 7 May
Entries open for the Round the Island Race
Hundreds of boats are expected to take part in the annual spectacle Hundreds of boats are expected to take part in the annual spectacle, organised by the Island Sailing Club, on Saturday 7th June. Posted on 24 Jan
Multiple J/Crews silver in Round the Island Race
There were record retirements across the fleet It was certainly a race to remember with crews battling the heavy conditions, especially around the Needles and the reach to St Catherine's Point. Most boats could be seen with single or double-reefed mains and J4 jibs or even bright orange storm jibs! Posted on 23 Jun 2024
Man Overboard on Walkabout IV
During the 2024 Round the Island Race Photographer Caitlin D'Arcy was down at St Catherine's Point on the Isle of Wight, watching the Round the Island Race, when she watched a man overboard situation unfold. She picks up the story to tell us what happened. Posted on 19 Jun 2024
Tom Hicks Round the Island Race Photo Gallery Pt.2
More stunning photos of Saturday's race from the top yachting photographer More stunning photos from top yachting photographer Tom Hicks, who was out braving the high winds and huge seas on Saturday for the 2024 Round the Island Race. Posted on 19 Jun 2024
Round the Island Race: Wet and wild
Only nine incidents connected to the race - less than previous years It was certainly a race to remember with crews battling the heavy conditions, especially around the Needles and the reach to St Catherine's Point. Posted on 16 Jun 2024
The oldest footage of the Round the Island Race
Our video archive uncovers much less than expected! With the Round the Island Race running yesterday, it is a great moment to dig through the video archive to see the oldest footage of the race that we can find. Posted on 16 Jun 2024