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Saturday 3rd July 2021 Ocean Village, Southampton

A day at Sea photographing from close quarters the 2021 Round the Island Race

With around 1,400 boats this is one of the largest yacht races in the world and we will be right in the centre of the action!

£129.00

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Only 4 tickets left

About this event

TimeLine Events are pleased to announce that in 2021 we will be taking to the water once again to capture the annual Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club. For those of you that are not familiar with the race it is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight. The race regularly attracts over 1,400 boats and around 15,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs. 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 westabout, to The Needles, round St Catherine's Point and Bembridge Ledge buoy, and back into the Solent to the finish line at Cowes.

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 many hours to complete the race, the course records stand at 3hrs 53mins 05secs for a monohull boat, set by Mike Slade on ICAP Leopard in 2008, and 3hrs 08mins 29secs for a multihull boat, set by Francis Joyon in 2001.

The boats cross the start line at Cowes in eleven separate groups, starting every 10 minutes from around 07.00 until 09.00 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. 

We will be out early to catch competitors as they head for the Neddles and beyond, using our regular chase boats, 30' catamarans which are more than capable of keeping up with the fastest of yachts. 

Tickets to this iconic photo experience are limited to 22 over two boats so to avoid disappointment we highly recommend early booking.

Images courtesy of Simon Westwood & Matt Hancock.

Currently all of our events will run in line with our Covid-19 policy that follows government guidelines. You can find our Covid-19 policy information page here.

Event requirements

Equipment

  • Spare batteries
  • Camera
  • Lense cloths
  • Lenses
  • Camera protection - rain covers etc

Other things you should bring

  • Snacks
  • Bottled water

Fitness

  • Medium

Other essentials

  • Sturdy outdoor shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Wet weather gear

Event location