With a weather forecast for easterly winds (F3 or F4) and brilliant sunshine, the spectacle for the Round the Island race tomorrow morning should be quite a sight as boats cross the start line with their spinnakers set. The annual 5onM race – anti-clockwise around the Isle of Wight is one of the most popular in the calendar and regularly attracts 1500 boats and thousands of sailors who are competing for any of the 200 prizes which are awarded across the many categories of craft.

The race, which has been running since 1931 (apart from during WWII), is organised by the Island Sailing Club, and the early classes will start at 0730 (29th June). The start is over the Royal Yacht Squadron Line. Late finishers will have the wind against them as the forecast wind veers increasingly to the west from around 1700hrs; lead boats can now finish the race in four hours.

One of the best views of the race is from Tennyson Down above the Needles but you can see more vantage points and where the boats typically are at different times of day by clicking here.

This year the organisers have set up a new Race Village along Cowes Parade where sailors and spectators can gather to view boats starting and coming back. With a large bar, several food stands, live music  and a magician called Randini, it promises conviviality. More importantly it opens at 0700 – 2300 on Saturday and from 0900 – 1500 on Sunday.

RTI race village will expand on Cowes Parade this year. Photos: © Paul Wyeth

The Round the Island Race supports The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust as its official race charity, to help young people rebuild their lives after cancer treatment. Other race partners include Helly Hansen, Raymarine and MS Amlin.

Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, David Atkinson said: “We are proud to have received a record number of entries into the Round the Island Race within 24 hours of entries first opening. One of the main reasons the race has a reputation as a world-renowned event is because it truly is a race for all. It is on many a sailor’s bucket list and we regularly find that, once tried, sailors return year after year as it is such a unique race.”

Mr Atkinson also announced next year’s RTI date as moving forward to 30th May 2020 (from the published 13th June). This is because the proposed date would clash with the Isle of Wight Festival whose organisers announced their dates last week.

The Round the Island Race website: www.roundtheisland.org.uk