The ever popular Round the Island race increases in participants and champions with both windsurfers and stand up paddlers competing…

Event round-up

The Round Hayling Marathon marks the start of the racing season. In its new form the event lands on Good Friday, and by including the new SUP fleet over 100 competitors arrived at Hayling Island Sailing Club under crystal blue skies. Being one of the few events not governed by wind speed minimums the race happens (Apart from zero!).  This year the winds were in the north and light, but plenty enough to get the race underway promptly at midday. Windsurfers and Stand up paddleboarders left the line at the same time for a spectacular start. Even the BBC radio reported on the start as one yachtsman phoned in to describe the event happening live on radio from his yacht. Windsurfers reached Langstone harbour in good time – just around 25 minutes, but the final leg was a slog against the spring tide rushing out past HISC. Rob Kent racing the brand new Starboard Phantom 377 and powered by the Tushingham XR race sail 9.5 led the fleet to the finish, and Annette Kent won the women’s fleet with a superb overall second. Tushingham and Starboard were sponsors of the event, but the overall awards must go to Hayling Island Sailing Club for being a superb host and the passionate organiser John Message.

Another account of the day comes from or very own Print Mag Co-Editor, Amy Carter.

Glorious sunshine graces the shores of Hayling Island for the annual round the island race.

Though some may have wished for stronger winds a large fleet flocked to the island for the now iconic race. Windsurfers used all available equipment from longboards and freeride gear, right through to the customary tandem. Whilst the racing may not have been fast and furious, it was enjoyed immensely by both participants and onlookers.

In the light, and at times, shifty winds, the longboards were victorious with Robert Kent taking the win, closely followed by Annette Kent, with Jon White in third for the full circumnavigation race. Full results available at hisc.co.uk

Stand Up Paddle boarders joined the race this year, a variety of classes took part in at 7.5 mile race in near perfect conditions. Ryan James, Mike Ellicott and Paul Simmons taking the wins in their respective categories – full results available at standuppaddlesurf.co.uk

Final Results:

Rob Kent:  Starboard/Tushingham
Annette Kent;  Starboard/ Tushingham
Jon White: Starboard/ Hot Sails

More photos can be found in the following galleries:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flowatersports/sets/72157629778641345/ – Photos by Amy Carter

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emsgems123/sets/72157629389949626/ – Photos by Emma Burton

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bsidethec/sets/72157629761035083/ – Photos by Julia Hill