Local clubs' sailors impress in annual Round-the-Island race

LYMINGTON sailors took to the Solent to race in the annual Round the Island event on Saturday.

Royal Lymington and Lymington Town both participated in the event which attracted 1,200 teams from around the world. Racing was tough throughout with only 281 boats completing the course within the time restriction.

RLymYC’s Jitterbug was the best local performer as they won the Owen Parker Memorial Trophy, finished first in the IRA Division 1A and was the first J boat over the line.

Other RLymYC successes were IRC Division 2B winners Boomerang, Embley won the Raymarine RTI trophy and Division 7A, Eager which won the Field Barnacle trophy, Jedi claimed the Will Souter trophy and the Hampshire Collegiate School who took the Young sailors’ trophy.

RLymYC’s Robbie Boyd raced in the event and despite retiring, enjoyed the challenge. He said: “I was in the same boat as last year where I finished third, so it was a little disappointing to retire but there was a lot of boats that didn’t finish.”

“I still enjoyed it because it’s a challenge and I think that’s why it attracts so many people to the event.”

LTSC had two boats in the event but Google-eye and Anticipation both retired on the day. Scaramouche, a group of young sailors closely affiliated with the club, gave a good account of themselves. They retired in the race but did complete the course outside of the allotted time.