SORC short handed Round the Isle of Wight race - Preview
by Dave Giddings 27 Jun 10:36 BST
5 July 2025
Fastrack XI (Sunfast 3200 R2 sailed by Nigel Colley) during the SORC short handed Round the Isle of Wight race © Kirsteen Donalson
The Solo Offshore Racing Club short handed race round the Isle of Wight race (RIOW) starts at 0900 on Saturday 5 July at Gurnard, just west of Cowes. There are classes for IRC and non-rated boats sailing solo or double handed. Early entry costs £80 (£100 double handed) including RIOW shirts for all competitors.
On a pay as you go basis, there will be a pre-race dinner at RORC on the Friday evening in Cowes and a prize-giving and BBQ at the Island Sailing Club on Saturday, great opportunities to swap stories with like-minded sailors!
Since its inception as a solo race in 2006, RIOW has evolved into a classic short-handed event. Scoring towards the UKDHOS as well as SORC, it attracts many double-handed as well as solo boats and fierce competition.
The 2006 winners were Mike Moxley's HOD35 Malice and Ian Loffhagen's tri Sheik Yerbouti. Last year, it was the turn of Rob Mc Gregor's Mustang 30 Dark Horse in IRC solo overall and Tim Goodhew's Sunfast 3200 R2 Cora in IRC Double Handed.
For further information visit the SORC website.