In the days ahead of this year’s Round the Island Race it’s fair to say that the weather forecast was not favourable! An Atlantic low suggested average wind speeds of 30 knots gusting 40 which would have made things somewhat ‘fruity’.
So it was a relief all round when the very strong wind decided to go elsewhere and was replaced with winds in the mid-20s for this iconic race. Having completed all the logistics of getting Assassin from Portishead to the start line, the team lined up for the IRC start at 07h30 together with a overall fleet that numbered well over 800 yachts of varying sizes and configurations.
The first upwind leg to Hurst Narrows was brisk and saw the fleet split between the two shorelines to get out of the foul tide. Converging at the Needles Channel, conditions became a little more testing until we rounded the Needles lighthouse and bore away. Lining up on St Catherine’s Point, the fleet was split between those flying spinnakers in the gusty and choppy conditions and those sticking with white sails.
As we got through the swell at St Catherine’s, the wind eased and we headed across Ventnor and Shanklin bays through a foul tide chop. Once again, the fleet headed to the coast before coming out to ensure a successful rounding of the Bembridge Ledge bouy.
After rounding, the fleet then hardened up as they sailed back up The Solent to the finish. As if to make a point, the weather gods sent squalls and strong gusts to test the crews one last time before Assassin crossed the finish line at 16h13 in torrential rain!
Heading back to the mooring, team Assassin reflected on a great day out, the enormity of the assembled fleet and the particular highlight of racing 3 other Prima 38’s – which we later found out had briefly featured in the following YouTube video of the event – you can see Assassin and company at 1m23.
Photo credits: Mike Sweet & John Schutte