The 44th Isle of Sheppey Round the Island Race was held on Sunday 1 September in light north-easterly winds and bright sunshine.

Seventy boats took part in the event which is open to dinghies, catamarans and sailboards. The challenging annual race, organised by Sheppey Yacht Club, is 30-40 miles long depending on wind and tide.

First to reach the Kingsferry Bridge that links the island to the mainland were Pip and Paula Parsons from Whitstable Yacht Club sailing an Olympic class Tornado Sport catamaran. They also crossed the finishing line first, to complete the circumnavigation in the quickest time of the day of just three hours and 50 minutes.

It was an impressive performance, especially considering the fact that they, along with the two other catamarans from Whitstable had not only sailed round the island, but also from Whitstable to the club before the race, and then back to Whitstable again after the event.

The overall winner of the event on handicap was Mike Lyons from Burghfield Sailing Club sailing a Blaze class dinghy.

Overall Prizewinners

1st overall Mike Lyons, Blaze, Burghfield SC

2nd overall Martin Pascoe, RS600, Weir Wood SC

3rd overall Paul Taylor, Blaze Burghfield SC

1st over line Pip Parsons and Paula Parsons, Tornado Sport, Whitstable YC

1st SYC on PY Russell Wheeler, International Moth, Sheppey YC

1st SYC over the line Ian Brunger and Colin Hunter, Laser 4000, Sheppey YC

1st Singlehander Mike Lyons, Blaze, Burghfield SC

1st Under 16 Helm Sophie Ainsworth and Lucy Cripps, 420 ,Royal Lymington YC

1st Female Helmsman Sonja Riley, RS400, Bough Beech SC

1st Slow Handicap Steve Mitchell and Tim Jestico, Bosun, Docklands

1st Medium Handicap Neil Crossouard and Sam Pascoe, 420, Weir Wood SC

1st Fast Handicap David Hurst and R. Buckmaster, Javelin, Kingsmead SC

1st Multihull on PY C. Thompson, Nacra 450, Calshot Cats

1st Sailboard Steve Maxted, Sailboard

1st Bosun Steve Mitchell and Tim Jestico, Bosun, Docklands

1st Dart 18 John Garcka Gesine Schreiber, Dart 18, Worthing YC