Entries are now open for the next JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, which starts from Cowes,

...Isle of Wight, on Saturday 28th June 2008. The Notice of Race and entry form are available via http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk

Fundraising for charity has become an increasingly important aspect of the event and in 2007 over 70,000 GBP was raised for the race's four charities - Breast Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Support, Prostate UK and The Ellen MacArthur Trust. Typical of the many stories of courage and determination was Robin Wood, one of last year's top charity enthusiasts and the first official entry for the race in 2008. Robin and the crew on Noumanon competed in support of Prostate UK, a charity which has a special meaning for him.
 

Robin completed the course round the Isle of Wight in just over nine hours and achieved a creditable top third result in his class. He and his crew raised 3,000 GBP for Prostate UK.

Bill Pimlott, Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, which runs the event said:

"Last year we had the highest number of finishers in the history of the race and we look forward to welcoming newcomers and old friends alike in 2008. I know many competitors have more tankards than their mantelpiece can accommodate. If this is the case, skippers can make a note on their entry form and the Island Sailing Club will make a donation to charity in lieu of the memento."

Full information is available on www.roundtheisland.org.uk which also includes a new section "Your Feedback" in answer to matters raised through the competitor questionnaire introduced in 2007. -- Flavia Bateson