07 July 2018
The Trust founding patron Ellen MacArthur fired the cannons this morning to start the iconic Round the Island Race, before joining the crew onboard Waita one of the four Trust boats taking part today.
The Round the Island Race is part of our unique Return to Sail programme, which allows us to support young people over time by inviting them back to sail and helping them to rebuild their confidence after cancer and re-engage with life.
The 25 young people from the Trust are sailing alongside a variety of professionals and amateurs with over 12,000 participants setting sail across the 55-mile course around the Isle of Wight.
Stepping onboard Shabeene today is World record-breaking sailor Brian Thompson. Brian holds the world record for the fastest lap of the Island, sadly Shabeene has made the decision to retire at the Needles and they are now heading back to the base in East Cowes.
The light to moderate winds forecast today means it won’t be a ‘record-breaking’ year, our boats Waita, Omerta, and Wight Orca have passed the needles with the next landmark of St Catherine’s on the south of the Island ahead.
While on dry land we’re hosting over 150 cyclists and runners from JP Morgan Bournemouth who are fundraising for us by running or cycling varying distances around the undulating Isle of Wight. This weekend we’re super excited to launch our limited-edition Boing Jewellery rope bracelets and Trust branded Chilly Bottles at our stand in the Race Village. If you’re on the Island come down and say hello to our awesome fundraising team.
We will be fundraising all weekend to rebuild the confidence of even more young people in recovery from cancer to donate text RTIR18 TO 70070
