Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this sailing update. Ed
Calling all those keen on sailing. Entries for the 2014 JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, taking place on 21st June opened on Friday 3rd January with the Notice of Race being simultaneously published online.
With a fleet comprising in excess of 1,500 yachts and 16,000 sailors, the annual one-day JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race is firmly established as one of the top sailing events. For those living on the Island just the spectacle of seeing all the yachts sailing around the Island is really something especially on a hot and breezy summer day, but why not take part.
A fantastic adventure
As the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs, the Round the Island Race can certainly be an adventure for some.
Racing can last many hours depending on wind, tides and seamanship but in 2013 record-breaker Sir Ben Ainslie started his race at 5am and was back in time for an early breakfast! After his record breaking feat in the 2013 race, later in the day, Sir Ben Ainslie was only too pleased to sign copies of his book and posters on the Henri Lloyd stand in the Race Village. One of the largest queues of the day formed, with keen visitors to ‘Race Village’ eager to obtain a memento of the day.
Shore-side activities
Also in the ‘Race Village’ there were competitions and fun and games for children making the event a great day out for all the family. For the 2014 event there should be even more events for the general public to take part in as the organisers of ‘The Festival of the Sea’ plan to run their festival at the same time as the race.
Every year the Race welcomes many new participants – old and young, male and female, amateur and professional who want to challenge themselves and undertake this extraordinary 50 nautical mile adventure that starts and ends off Cowes.
The Island Sailing Club organises, hosts and manages the Race, and the Club’s Commodore, John Dudley, sums up why he thinks this race means so much to so many:
“I am proud to be Commodore of the Club that runs this iconic event; a race where Cruisers and Racers alike are matched up against some of the leading sailors in the World making it a ‘Race for All’.”
Find out more about taking part
If you are thinking of entering the 2014 Race and haven’t competed before, there is a wealth of information, including a series of practical preparation videos, available on the Race website. There is also a Forum on which you can post ‘Crew available’ or ‘Crew wanted’ notices.
This race has J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) as a Title Sponsor and Race Partners for 2014 are: Dream Yacht Charter, Haven Knox-Johnston, Henri Lloyd, Nautica Watches, Old Pulteney Whisky, Raymarine, Red Funnel and Volvo Car UK.
Even if you are not competing but are just interested in the event and want to see all the action several of these companies have stands and information in the ‘Race Village’ which is situated in Cowes Yacht Haven for the duration of the Round The Island weekend.
JP Morgan Asset Management remain as sponsor
With the start of 2014 comes the announcement from the Island Sailing Club that the title sponsorship of this iconic race will continue to be with JP Morgan Asset Management for a further two-year period up to and including 2016.
The announcement took place at the London Boat Show on the JP Morgan BAR stand where the boat which broke the Race Multihull record last year was on show.
Jasper Berens, Head of UK Funds Business at JP Morgan Asset Management, said:
“We’re delighted to announce our title sponsorship of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race will continue for a further two years. We’ve been involved in sailing for the last decade as title sponsor of the Race and we are also into our eighth year as title sponsor of Sir Ben Ainslie.”
John Dudley, speaking on behalf of the entire Race management team said:
“This Race, the largest of its kind in the world, continues to evolve under the ISC’s stewardship. However, with J.P. Morgan Asset Management, we have been fortunate to work hand in hand with a Title Sponsor and our Race Partners who fully support and help us launch new initiatives.”
Image: John Dudley, Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, with Sir Ben Ainslie at the London Boat Show for today’s announcement of J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s continuation of its Race title sponsorship up to and including 2016. Photo: onEdition.
