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Solo Around The Isle Of Wight

The fourth edition of RIOW Solo, a testing 50-mile single-handed race around the Isle of Wight will start at from Egypt Point, Cowes on Saturday 26th April 2008. The race is aimed at mono-hull and multi-hull yachts from 25 feet to 40 feet overall, there is also a special class for Mini 6.50’s

This event is the latest in the innovative series of single-handed races that have been organised by Racing at Petit Bateau ltd over the last five years. One objective of RIOW Solo is to encourage skippers who are new to this exciting discipline to gain experience in the familiar and convenient location of the Solent, this is the first race of the new Solent Solo Series for 2008. There will be ample opportunity to meet fellow soloists at the Island Sailing Club on the evening of Friday 25th and Saturday 26th for the prize giving.

Race Director Paul Peggs is pleased with the quality of the entry, 20 boats so far, which includes several skippers new to solo racing and strong support from the established short handers. Last years winners Simon Forbes in the Dragonfly trimaran ‘Scooby III’ and Peter Newlands in his First 40.7 ‘Anticipation’ both return to defend their titles from the pursuers of Rory Carter (Dehler 36) and Simon Curwen (J105). There is already a strong entry from the J 105 class regulars and Rob Craigie’s J122 Jbellino will be back for a second go round.

New faces include a brace of Figaro 2’s, with Katie Miller and Andy Greenwood making their Solent debut. Paul Peggs anticipates 40 boats will start the fourth edition of this challenging event; the smaller boats go first at 0610hrs on the JOG line off Egypt Point but with barely two hours of fair tide to clear the Needles it will be touch and go.

All Petit Bateau events are OPEN races to encourage development in shorthanded design and techniques. IRC or Mocra certificates are not required, but corrected times will be calculated for those with valid certificates and handicap prizes are also awarded.

The details of the race can be found at www.petitbateau.org.uk where entries can be made and paid on line. Entries close on Saturday April 19th. — Jerry Freeman

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This entry was posted on Saturday, April 12th, 2008 at 8:56 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.