Record breaking monohull ICAP Leopard.
A record number of yachts are set to take part in the Round The Island Race, on Saturday. The competition was inaugurated 77 years ago and in 2008 nearly 2000 boats are preparing to sail 55 miles around the Isle of Wight. Olympic medalists, round-the-world skippers and even Formula One ace driver Lewis Hamilton will mix with first-time racers and family cruisers in this unique event. The starts leave the Royal Yacht Squadron line from 6am. A and S Whitewood assess the competitors’ chances...
2007 saw a record number of finishers. The big question now is whether race records will tumble in 2008. Mike Slade was just 18 minutes short of the monohull record last year, sailing ICAP Leopard. Given the right conditions, the Extreme 40 catamarans could be in with a good chance. Their skippers include Dame Ellen MacArthur on BT and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson on JPMorgan Asset Management. Bill Pimlott, Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, said: “There could not be a better indicator of the race`s popularity, which reflects great credit on the Club staff and the members whose hard work make the whole thing possible.”