Sonic Secures Sonata Salver at 2026 Round The Island Race

Published 13:49 on 16 Jul 2026

Round The Island Race 2026 Sonic

The Family agreed to sail with me for this year's Round The Island Race edition and I have to admit that I was really looking forward to it. Sonic was prepped and Winning Tides had been duly studied.

Having never done one in an Easterly breeze, we were dreading the possibility of the squeeze getting through the Needles and the long hard beat from the Needles to Bembridge Ledge Buoy, this year, largely against the tide.

The strong desire to keep out of the way of the earlier starts meant that we were late and hoisted the kite with a minute and a half to go. We hit the line slightly late but at full speed and more importantly, at the right part of the line to get the last of the back eddy west. This put us ahead of Joey, ES Sonata, Musical Express, Wasp, Bottoms Up and Jive.

The run down to Yarmouth allowed us to keep ahead, gybing whenever our breeze was threatened by larger boats wanting to get by. Joey was going well and kept close company. Wasp was recovering from an offshore start and the others were hiding in the melee.

The benefit of rounding the Needles inside the Varvassi wreck was huge, and Sonic benefited from less distance travelled, cleaner wind and an upwind position compared to the other Sonatas.

And then the slog began. On port, with the occasional tack when headed. It was hard and very gusty and Joey and ES Sonata gained especially as we approached St Catherines. Wasp took the inshore route, which didn't really work this year.

The most talked about part of the race in the bar after was "How many tacks from St Catherines to Ventnor Harbour." We did about 58 short tacks keeping out of the last of the adverse tide. It was exhausting. Others did more! It was lovely to see the South Easterly building, which allowed the fleet to quit the short tacking and cross Sandown Bay close hauled on Starboard. Joey's impressive speed allowed her to get ahead, although a few hundred metres inshore of Sonic while passing Yaverland. Fortunately, the extra height gained by Sonic allowed us to foot off approaching Bembridge Ledge Buoy and we rounded 30 metres ahead but in clear wind.

We watched Joey round with company and now under spinnaker we all headed for Seaview, Ryde Sands, the Finish off East Cows and Home. ES Sonata had a brave rounding of the Ryde Sands and got ahead of Joey and the rest of the run to the finish was nerve-wrenchingly close and exciting. The team on Sonic did well, especially the slick foredeck crew allowing many gybes defending the wind.

Sonic finished first (and 10th overall in IRC), ES Sonata a mere 60 seconds behind and Joey another 70 seconds back. After 10 hours of racing, the first four Sonatas finished within about six minutes of each other. There was immense relief getting over the line under the many bigger boats with massive wind shadows. Collecting the Sonata Salver at the prize giving with the family was a special memory and the race was a good one, especially after the tiredness had been washed away.

Well done to all the Sonatas who took part. The race is good, but getting round is the main achievement.

Robin and the Leather family (Sonic)

Related

• Round the Island Race 2026 (11 July)

Last updated 13:50 on 16 July 2026