THE Round the Island Race is only a matter of weeks away — but planning the 2017 event actually began five years ago.
Nearly 1,000 entries have already registered for this year’s race, considered among the most iconic of its kind in the world.
The Island Sailing Club is the driving force behind the spectacle and it’s not a responsibility taken lightly.
A dedicated Round the Island Race steering group, boasting around 200 years of race experience, is responsible for running and managing the event.
One of the earliest but most important details is setting the date.
The only time The Solent is closed is when the race is taking place, so the club has to give five years’ notice, to allow shipping companies to plan their timetables well in advance.
The more detailed aspects of the 2017 event started almost immediately after last year’s finished, with every single element reviewed and considered.
Around 180 people — the vast majority volunteers — will have been involved in helping to organise the race by the time it arrives.
The safety of the boats and their crew is the number one priority, perfectly illustrated by the list of agencies and authorities involved.
From the council and coastguard crews to paramedics and police, everything has to be covered.
The Island Sailing Club’s Dave Atkinson, who has been involved with the race for 36 years, said: “Safety is the governing thing, we never take a decision without considering that.
“Effectively it’s an offshore race after passing The Needles, so we have to work with everyone.
“Without the support of all the authorities, we couldn’t run it.”
As ever, this year’s race will feature different boats of all shapes and sizes, from 23ft Cornish shrimpers to the latest hi-tech ocean racers, which is one of its most charming aspects, according to Dave.
He said: “The beauty of the race is we get everyone, from grannies and children to the professionals and royalty.
“People take part to be competitors and mum, dad and the kids can go up against the best in the country, it’s brilliant.”
The race gets under way at 5.30am on July 1.
The start line in Cowes would actually stretch to Southampton, if all the competitors lined up together.
However, it takes around two hours to get everyone on their way, and the cut off time to cross the finish line is 10pm — nearly 17 hours later.
Once the race is finally finished, attention then turns to the prize-giving event the following day, with around 120 to be handed out.
Dave added: “In the days leading up to and including the race, we live 24 hours a day.
“It’s a mammoth task.
“But it’s hugely important to the club because that’s what we’re so well known for.
“There is massive interest here and across the world and we’re very proud of it.”