Good humour and impressive turnouts have always been major features of the annual ‘Round the Island Race? and despite overcast weather, the conditions for this years spectacle put last years windless event into perspective.
There were a variety of traditional and modern craft lining St. Mary’s harbour when the start flag was lowered at 10:30. There was the inevitable ?scrambled start? but this just proved to stagger the line in a way that there was enough sea room for everyone. The Fastest boats soon made their way to the front of the pack to lead the course, which runs around St. Mary’s, finishing up in St. Agnes.
Many competitors found the ?home stretch? of the journey too unbearable and with the Turks Head within the sights of many, some retired from the race and motored in. Those who did have the patience to persevere with the damp and windless conditions (exaggerated by the tide flowing against the run of the race) could be seen finishing several hours later than the lead boats. The first boat to cross the line clocked in at 1 Hour 40 Mins.
Of the 100+ meant to be competeing, 80 turned up for the start and 39 finished.