Thousands set to sail in one of the world’s biggest Yacht Races around the Isle of Wight

More than 1,200 boats and 10,000 sailors from across the globe are preparing to take part in one of the world’s largest yacht races – the iconic Round the Island Race, held annually off England’s south coast.

The one-day event, organised by the Island Sailing Club, sees competitors navigate a 50.1-nautical mile course around the Isle of Wight. It’s the UK’s fourth largest participation sporting event, following the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs.

Racers begin on the historic Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, sailing west past The Needles, rounding St Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, before returning to Cowes through The Solent.

Spectators can follow the race from various viewing spots on both the island and the mainland, while others can track the fleet online and via social media.

The race is said to be known for its inclusive spirit, with world-class sailors competing alongside family crews and first-timers. While most boats take several hours to complete the course, the fastest times remain impressive — the monohull record of 3 hours 43 minutes was set by Mike Slade in 2013, while the multihull record of 2 hours 22 minutes was set by Ned Collier Wakefield in 2017.

With nearly 200 individual prizes and almost 100 historic trophies up for grabs, we can expect intense competition. The most prestigious is the Gold Roman Bowl, awarded to the overall winner since the race began in 1931.