The 2007 JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race broke the record for the highest number of finishers in the history of the race. In the past ten years, 2001 saw 1,493 finishers. The majority of results have now been processed and show a 2007 figure of 1,559 which may well increase once queries have been resolved.

Provisional results show the top IRC boat on handicap and winner of the Gold Roman Bowl is Edward Donald’s Folkboat Madelaine. The boat and owner have won the Gold Roman Bowl before, in 1999. Edward commented: “We had a taxing day and had to make sure we got out of the tide. Basically we hugged the shore all day long – and saw a lot of the Island. Most of the time we were up with the H-Boats and quarter tonners. We had a great day out!”

Edward’s crew for the race were two more “dads” from Winchester, Rob Reed and Dan Rigden, who all met through their children, all at Weston School. The boat is named after “Maddie” Edward’s 10 year old daughter. He would like to dedicate this race to the memory of his elder brother Richard.

Race Control believe the final boat to cross the line was Elektra raced by Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year Katie Miller and Dan Monk. They had encountered problems with gear failure throughout the day but had soldiered on, and in so doing helped The Ellen Macarthur Trust.

Last year the total raised for charity by all the participants was £30,000 and the organisers are confident this has already been exceeded in 2007.