SOLENT EVENTS DIARY

SOLENT EVENTS DIARY THE BLUEPRINT REGATTA 19 – 20 June The inaugural Blueprint Regatta for property, construction and estate agency professionals taking place in Cowes in June, will include two days of exciting racing organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron and a programme of relaxed socials shoreside. The regatta will also be raising funds for the Sea Cadets via the Derek Login Offshore Trust. www.blueprintregatta.co.uk THE ROUND THE ISLAND RACE IN ASSOCIATION WITH CLOUDY BAY 1 July The annual Round the Island Race in association with Cloudy Bay, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight. The race regularly attracts over 1,600 boats and around 16,000 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. 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. Spectators can find many vantage points, to watch the race progress. The first start in Cowes for the 2017 race will be at 5.30am. Those who cannot get to watch in person can always keep an eye on the race’s progress on the website, via our live text commentary and our boat tracking facility. 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

Photo: Paul Wyeth

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