Round the Isle of Wight Race 2025 at Solo Offshore Racing Club
by Dave Giddings 10 Jul 22:33 NZST
5 July 2025
SORC's Round the Isle of Wight post-race social © David Giddings
The consistent forecast for the annual SORC RIOW race on Saturday 5 July was for strong SW winds. The actuals on the day were even stronger, mid 20s at the start, 30 knots true at the Needles and on the final leg, with accompanying wind over tide sea state.
Despite this, there was an excellent turnout at the start and nearly all boats finished, many having overcome sail and rigging issues on the way. Hats off to the intrepid double handed and particularly solo competitors for their seamanlike boat handling in challenging conditions.
Kate Cope of the UKDHOS gave a pre-race briefing during the Friday evening at the RORC in Cowes and there was a prize-giving and BBQ dinner at the Island Sailing Club on the Saturday, conveniently held right next to the well-frequented bar!
Well done to Nick Lee on Projection 920 Wee Bear for winning the Anticipation Cup (1st IRC-rated solo boat) and the Watermark Trophy (1st solo boat on the water, just 32 seconds in front of Stephen Thomas's C&C 115 Azora after swapping places in the last couple of tacks) as well as IRC Solo overall, and to Juan Moreno on Sigma 33 Salamander in IRC Class 2 Solo. in IRC Class 4 double handed, JPK1010 Elaine Again crewed by Ed Mockridge & Phil Stubbs had a convincing win.
Full results at www.offshoresolo.com/race-results
See Kate Cope's Facebook report for the perspective from Purple Mist.
The next event in the SORC programme is the Channel Race on 8 August, also open to double handed as well as solo entries.