At 0650 on Saturday 3rd June, the only all-female crew in the Isle of Wight JPMorgan Asset Management Round The Island yacht race, the Bestival sponsored girls from the Isle Of Wight College, crossed the start line alongside an incredible 1,587 other yachts.
The racing between the five J80’s in the Inspire High School Challenge, run by the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, was tight all the way round, with most schools being in the lead at some point.
The Isle of Wight College/Bestival girls took the lead just off Bembridge, having come round Bembridge Ledge in fourth and noticing that many other boats had sailed into an area of the Solent where there was no wind. In a stunning manoeuvre worthy of Admiral Nelson himself, the team were able to keep the breeze by sailing further off the Island shore and into the lead!
The team held the lead for much of the race, but were just pipped to the post in the closing stages of the race in Osbourne Bay, when Team Cowes High regained the lead and crossed the finish line.
Bearing in mind the sheer lack of breeze, the Isle of Wight College/Bestival team recorded a fantastic time of 10:54:26 to cross the finish line in second place, only nine minutes behind the leaders (also coming a very respectable 30th in the sports boat rule class, and figuring in the day's overall Top 50).
Out of the 1,587 boats that started the race, only 735 crossed the finish line.
The Isle of Wight College team would like to say a huge thank you to The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, especially Carlene Williams from the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, Helen King from Intotheblue, Shirley Robertson, and all the staff at UKSA, particularly Adam and Ed, who sailed round the Island with the girls.
Speaking after the race, the team said that; "We all had an amazing day and can't wait for next year!"
For further info on all things Bestival please contact;
Simon Blackmore
Regional PR
Bestival/Get Involved Ltd
c/o The Old Rectory, Mottistone, Isle of Wight, PO30 4ED
T: 01983 741 480
M: 07973 374 423
E: simon@getinvolvedltd.com