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Round The Island Race 2024 results: Notorious wins amid wet and wild conditions

Boisterous conditions during the 2024 Round The Island Race made for a thrilling race which provided challenges for both competitors and race organisers…

Some years the annual Round the Island Race is a gentle stroll around the Isle of Wight in gentle summer sunshine. 2024 was anything but…

This is the UK’s biggest mixed fleet race on the calendar but Saturday’s race saw strong winds, with gusts of up to lash the south coast meaning that a number of smaller classes were withdrawn before the race and many others retired.

The most extreme conditions were experienced in the pinch point that is the Needles Channel. Gusts of 50kn were recorded and wind over tide conditions at times made for truly intimidating conditions. In the end just 153 yachts completed the course with a remarkable 418 retiring.

In such conditions it was no surprise that big boats came to the fore and it was to be Irvine Laidlaw’s 80’ Gunboat Highland Fling that took line honours, making the circuit in an impressive 3h 39m.

Meanwhile the TP52 Notorious , owned and skippered by Peter Morton took monohull line honours and won IRC on corrected time, scooping the much coveted Gold Roman Bowl in the process.

Peter Morton, owner and skipper of Notorious said: “This is one of the world’s greatest races and every year I look forward to it. I’ve not had the boat that long but I’ve competed in Round the Island Race many times over the last 50 years in various boats I’ve owned.

“Yesterday was special and the toughest one I’ve done. It’s 40 years ago since I won the Gold Roman Bowl on a little 25ft boat called ‘Odd Job’ which was the smallest boat in the fleet, so this year was very special for me.”

An unsettled early summer in the British Isles provided a real headache for the organisers of the annual Round the Island Race, who woke up to the reality on Saturday of extreme conditions, Race Director, Dave Atkinson said: “This race was a challenge for both the competitors and the Race Team at the Island Sailing Club, with the safety and well-being of the crews being the main priority.

“We would like to thank the RNLI, independent lifeboats and coastguard teams for their assistance and co-operation before and during the race on Saturday. Despite the challenging conditions we only had nine incidents connected to the race which is less than previous years, this shows the seamanship of the crews and the correct decision making that went into undertaking of the race.”

For more information and full results, visit the official Round The Island Race website .

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Home » Discover » Round the Island Race 2022 – top tips and best spots for spectating

Round the Island Race 2022 – top tips and best spots for spectating

The Round the Island Race 2022 is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight taking place on 25th June. Britain’s favourite yacht race attracts thousands of boats and tens of thousands of sailors and visitors to the Island and here are our tips for spectating this year.

Competitors come from all over the UK, other parts of Europe and as far away as the USA to follow the 50 nautical mile course round the Isle of Wight. Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, the fleet races west-about, to The Needles, round St Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, and back into the Solent to the finish line at Cowes. Spectators can find many vantage points, both on the mainland and Isle of Wight, to watch the race progress. The first start in Cowes is at 6.30am with the last start around 8am.

The race is a great opportunity to watch world-renowned sailors racing against families and first time racers. Although the majority of the fleet will take 7 – 10 hours to complete the race, the course record was beaten in 2017 by Skipper Ned-Collier-Wakefield and his team who completed the 50 mile race in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 23 seconds.

The boats cross the start line at Cowes in eleven separate groups, starting every 10 minutes from 6.30am until 8.10am and heading in a westerly direction towards Yarmouth. The boats pass round the Needles Lighthouse, along the south-west coast of the Island to St Catherine’s Point and then up across Sandown Bay to round the Bembridge Ledge Buoy. The fleet then makes its way either side of No Man’s Land Fort and across Osborne Bay to the finish line back at Cowes.

Where to watch the Round the Island Race 2022

If you’re not racing, then come along to watch! Here is a guide to some of the best places to watch the Round the Island Race on the Isle of Wight.

The first boats leave Cowes at 6.30am this year and the fastest could complete the course in just three hours, so it will be done and dusted well before 10am! The vast majority of boats start later and can take more than twice this amount of time, so there’s lots to see all day.

The very short version is this: Cowes for the start, then Sconce Point at Fort Victoria, The Needles, Chilten Chine, St Catherine’s Point, Ventnor, Bonchurch, Culver Down, and finally Ryde Pier.

Round the Island race fleet passes through Ventnor Bay Isle of Wight

Here is a more leisurely look at where you might want to head to really enjoy the day. Times are for the main fleet:

8am-10.30am – The George Hotel, Yarmouth

A lovely spot to start your day with a hearty breakfast after perhaps having watched the early boats pass close to Fort Victoria or The Needles which are both nearby. Head to this comfortable hotel, The George Hotel, by the sea in the heart of the pretty harbour town of Yarmouth and watch the main fleet pass by. Why not take a walk up the pier and enjoy a Minghella ice cream?

View the Round the Island Race breakfast menu for The George here.

10am-2pm – The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor

The lead boats will come through Ventnor Bay at a more sensible time of the day, so perhaps drop into Besty & Spinky’s Cafe for breakfast on the Esplanade before enjoying the spectacle of thousands of boats, of all shapes and sizes pouring past you. Once the sun is over the yardarm, the terrace of The Spyglass Inn is a lovely vantage point as is The Met on the Esplanade.

St Catherine’s / The Pepperpot

Pack up your picnic and don those walking shoes as you take the climb up to The Pepperpot. Take in the view across from the west through Blackgang and be amazed as the sea is awash with coloured sails. For those who don’t want the steep climb St Catherine’s Lighthouse and Castlehaven are wonderful spots to catch a glimpse of the boats. With nearby pubs such as The Buddle Inn, a short walk away, after you’ve watched the yachts go by you can refuel.

11.30am-5pm – The Culver Haven Inn, Sandown

Set on the top of Culver Cliff overlooking Sandown Bay is quite possibly the Island’s highest pub, The Culver Haven Inn. If you’re lucky enough to get a window seat or there’s nice weather you can enjoy the race from a wonderful vantage.

Again, a picnic is a popular spot with nearby car parks along the hill line to stop off at.

At the end of the day head towards Bembridge and Ryde as the yachts circle back to Cowes. Sit down on the beach and watch everyone else doing all the hard work!

For more information visit the Round the Island Race website.

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Dubois half tonner Alchemist sinks during Round the Island – video

• Helen Fretter
• July 5, 2016

RNLI action-cam video of the Dubois half tonner Alchemist sinking rapidly east of the Needles iduring this year's Round the Island Race

The Mudeford RNLI inshore lifeboat crew shot dramatic footage of the sinking of Alchemist during last Saturday’s JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

Alchemist , a 1977 Dubois-designed Half Tonner, was built in Cowes at the Lallows boatyard for lifetime owner Mark Wynter, who is Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, the organising club of the Round the Island Race. Wynter was not onboard during this year’s race, which saw two crew rescued from Alchemist as she sank rapidly in around 17 metres of water just east of the Needles in strong winds on 2 July.

It has been widely reported that Alchemist hit the wreck of the SS Varvassi , an infamous obstacle of the course created when a Greek cargo steamer ran aground in 1947. Despite attempts by the inshore lifeboat crew to pass a pump to the crew onboard Alchemist, and to attach a stern towline, the beautifully varnished wooden yacht was taking on water rapidly and sank in Scratchells Bay. Both crew were rescued safely by the RNLI RIB, and an RNLI crewman was recovered from the water immediately after.

Besides competing in almost every Round the Island Race since her launch, Alchemist was a familiar sight on the Solent for nearly 30 years, and a frequent competitor in the JOG (Junior Offshore Group) races across the Channel. Many key figures in Cowes sailing community enjoyed their first taste of yacht and offshore racing onboard the Half Tonner. Yacht designer John Corby posted via social media “Seeing it under construction at Lallows when I was about 15 was one of the things that made me want to build boats.”

Both the RNLI and independent lifeboats were also called to multiple incidents during the day, including a dismasting, rudder and steering failures, and an injured crew member who was transferred to land after two boats collided.

Round the Island

• Last Updated February 13, 2024

The Largest Yacht Event in the World

Saturday, 15th June 2024

First fleet 07.30 am

With professional sailors, amateur crews, families and first-timers competing in the same 50 nautical mile course, it is truly a breath-taking sight. Starting at 7.30 am on Saturday morning, the yachts race counter-clockwise around the island. Canons fire at the start of every fleet

Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes early morning on Saturday, 15th June, the fleet races around the Isle of Wight in an anticlockwise direction. There are many viewpoints around the island coastline.

Spectators can enjoy a fantastic view of all the action from many points on the breath-taking coastline. The Official Race Village (free to enter) opens from Friday, 14th June, 5pm at Cowes Yacht Haven.night. There will be live bands, drinks, food and sponsor stands. The official charity partner in 2024 is the RNLI.

Are there offers or promotions for this event?  YES.

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• Round The Island Race 2025

Beginners or Experienced – No previous experience is necessarily required. We have race prepared yachts and also cruiser yachts that are less complicated. Talk to us so that we can match you, your experience and attitude with the right boat and crew! We have an experienced Skipper and First Mate on board each boat to help guide you through what is required on your Round the Island Yacht Race experience. They are there to help assist and mentor  / helm and co-ordinate the crew. With a 1st Mate we are in a position to fly spinnakers (either asymmetric / symmetrical) when conditions allow.  Rest assured you are not being ‘just sailed around’ (unless you want to) but will be encouraged to take part in all aspects / positions aboard the yacht. At night you can either stay on board, or if you would prefer you can take accommodation ashore and join the boat during the day. We offer packages aboard the yachts as below with either a ‘Buy a Berth or Cabin (for 2)’ or a ‘complete yacht charter’ price that includes a Skipper.  NEED A VOUCHER ? – RING US NOW!

Your Round the Island Yacht Race Event includes:

• Yacht (As per description -Spinnaker or Asymmetric)
• Professional Skipper (& First Mate where appropriate)
• From Gosport / Free Parking
• Accommodation Aboard (shared cabin)
• Cowes Mooring on Fri / Sat nights
• Safety Equipment
• Race Entry Fees
• Racing Insurance (Food on board during sailing – for ‘book a berth clients’ yachts.)

Round the Island Race – Complete Yacht Charter

Please enquire if you require a complete yacht charter. Beneteau First 40 Elan 434 Dufour 46 Jeanneau 43 Jeanneau 37

The 3-Day Round the Island Race Complete Yacht Charter allows for a useful practice day meeting on Friday morning 0930 hrs. Boats will berth in West Cowes  on a ‘walk-ashore’ mooring right in the heart of West Cowes for Friday / Saturday night to allow access to enjoy the shore-side ambience and festivities. Yachts depart and return to Hamble or Gosport. Ask for details applicable to each yacht. You self provision for sailing and eat ashore at own cost either at one of the many food stalls or in one of the restaurants in the evenings. Accommodation on board:   We will take the Skipper / Mate off at night to free up berths for you and your crew.

Jeanneau 43 – Cruiser with Spinnaker. – Up to 10 Clients / 3 Doubles / 1 Bunk Bed / Saloon for 2 / Heads x 2. Large spacious versatile accommodation cruiser yacht available for up to 10 clients plus Skipper & 1st Mate. Has 2 wheels and plenty of cockpit space. 11 berths in 4 cabins (3 x Doubles and a bunk bed cabin) plus a double and single in the main saloon. Comes with either symmetric or asymmetric spinnaker

Beneteau First 40 Race Cruiser with Spinnaker –  Up to 10 Clients / 3 Doubles / Saloon for 2 / Heads x 1 Lovely sporty yacht available for a Skippered Boat with 1st Mate included with full sail inventory, large spacious cockpit with German mainsheet system, deep draught and large wheel. 8 berths available on board in 3 x double cabins plus single berths either side in the saloon.

Jeanneau 37 – Cruiser with Spinnaker – Up to 8 Clients / 3 Doubles / Saloon for 2 / Heads x 1 Comfortable cruiser yacht available for a Skippered Boat with 1st Mate included with slab reefed main /

roller furling genoa, Total 9 berths available on board in 3 x double cabins plus single berths plus a double in the saloon.

3 – Day ‘Book a Berth’ Option for Individuals / Cabin Shares on 43ft Jeanneau (Friday Practice / Saturday Race / Sunday Chill-Out Sail / Food on board) Individual ‘Book a Berth’  £1595  2 Person Price of Double Cabin Share £850  Individual Price 

The 3 day ‘Book a berth on RTI Event’ format will be on a  Jeanneau 43 – Cruiser with Spinnaker or asymmetrical or symmetric spinnaker.  There is a practice day meeting on Friday morning 0930 hrs. Boats will berth in West Cowes  on a ‘walk-ashore’ mooring right in the heart of West Cowes for Friday / Saturday night to allow access to enjoy the shore-side ambience and festivities. Yachts depart and return to Gosport. The event has with food available on board during the sailing and you eat out at one of the many food stalls or in one of the restaurants in the evenings at own cost. You are allocated a berth (or cabin) and can stay on board Friday and Saturday nights on a ‘walk-ashore’ mooring in West Cowes.

The Jeanneau 43 is a large spacious cruiser yacht with versatile accommodation which allows us some flexibility in accommodating a ‘Buy a Berth’ crew of up to 9 sleeping aboard. Up to 11 berths are available – 3 doubles / 1 bunk bed cabin (for 2) / saloon (for 3) / heads x 2 .  Has 2 wheels and plenty of cockpit space. Instrument repeater below and a TV / DVD. The yacht has a cooker, microwave and large fridge. Comes with either symmetric or asymmetric spinnaker.

Please contact us to determine availability of book a berth and also complete yacht charter availability – this event always sells out but it is worth contacting us even late minute as occasionally we are able to put on an additional yacht at late notice!

Ages 14-80 Years Crew on Board – Read what the Keys family made of it!

Missed Out? Try our Cowes Week Regatta Options

James Fox – (he’s done RTI Race with Yachtforce six times now) said, ‘Please pass on my thanks and appreciation to Steve and Chris. Awesome guys, great fun and would love to sail with them again. So if you need numbers for next year then, as always, sign me up! Also – love the boat!’

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Competitors Start times

The start times for the 2023 Round the Island Race are shown in the following table, extracted from the Notice of Race:

The start times for the 2023 Round the Island Race are shown in the following table, extracted from the Sailing Instructions:

The start times, class splits and finish lines for the 2024 Round the Island Race are shown in the following table:

See the key points of the race, a Table of Distances and discover some of the best vantage points to watch this spectacular race.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Two boats involved in horror crash as sailor thrown overboard

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Two boats were involved in a devastating crash and a sailor was thrown overboard during a yacht race.

A man was flung from a boat as competitors battled rough seas during the Round the Island Race in the Isle of Wight today.

He then desperately clung onto his life jacket before being rescued.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rushed to his aid to pull him from the water despite the extreme conditions.

His condition is not yet known.

It’s thought that at least one of the boats involved capsized.

Wind speeds soared to 64mph before the shocking incident happened off Yarmouth.

The event, which sees boaters sail 50 miles around the Isle of Wight, normally attracts one of the largest fleets of any yacht race.

But the severe weather had a major impact this morning with 418 yachts retiring and just 153 finishing the race.

Elsewhere today, a British couple were thrown from a boat and seriously injured after it exploded in Majorca .

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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