2008 Round the Island Race: Muddy Matches Takes to the Sea
Friday, June 06th, 2008
A fabulous opportunity has arisen for Muddy Matches to get a team of 12 together for the 2008 Round the Island Race, which takes place in Cowes, Isle of Wight from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th June and is the largest yacht race of its kind in the world. It is also a lot of fun!
Get involved
We have had an overwhelming response to the email we sent out on Thursday and, unfortunately ladies, there are currently no female spaces left. However, we are putting together a waiting list in case one of the girls cannot make it for any reason; if you haven’t already contacted us and would like your name to be added to this list, please get in touch with lucy@muddymatches.co.uk. If another space does become available, we will be randomly selecting another person from that list.
The boys as always (it continues to baffle us!) have been a little slower on the uptake and we do still have one male space available. If any guy registered on Muddy Matches would like to complete what already looks set to be a really fun team, please get in touch with lucy@muddymatches.co.uk ASAP.
Based on the response to the email and the positive feedback we have been receiving, we will definitely be putting on more sailing (and other activity) weekends. So if you couldn’t make this weekend or were unable to get a place, don’t worry, there will be plenty of other opportunities!
General information
The team will meet Stuart, our professional skipper, at the Ocean Village Marina in Southampton on Friday morning and then set off for a day’s sail training in preparation for the race the next day. Friday night will be spent on the yacht before an early start on Saturday in time for the beginning of the race. The yacht will be sailed by Stu and ‘mate’ Jen, but you will be encouraged to take part in all aspects of sailing including helming, winching and tacking. Or, if preferred, you can just sit back and enjoy the occasion. On Saturday night the team will go ashore for a well-deserved evening meal and drinks in Cowes before spending the second night on the yacht. On Sunday, there will be a more leisurely start, followed by plenty more sailing as you make your way back to Southampton.
Who can come?
Anyone. You do not need any sailing experience to take part as you will be given the necessary training on the Friday and Stu our qualified skipper and his ‘mate’ Jen will be on hand to make sure that everyone sails safely and has fun.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the whole weekend is £399, which includes:
- All accommodation on Friday and Saturday night (shared cabin)
- All food and drink on board*
- Professional skipper
- Sail training
- Life jackets, oil skins and all safety equipment
- A personalised Mad Cowes rugby top
* You will be expected to pay for your own dinner and drinks on Saturday night.
Payment to be made by cheque made payable to Muddy Matches Ltd and sent to Muddy Matches Ltd, Manor Close, Podington, Nr Wellingborough, Northants NN29 7HP. Find out more about the Muddy Matches Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions and Cancellation and Refund Policy.
The yacht
‘Aurora of London’ is a 67 ft Global Challenge Racing Yacht that took part in the British Steel Challenge 1992-1993 and the BT Global Challenge 1996-1997 (billed as ‘the world’s toughest yacht race’). The design of this yacht has proved to be capable of withstanding the worst sea conditions the planet can manifest.
She is in superb condition and, for an ocean racing yacht, is very comfortable. She also has a full complement of safety equipment as you would expect from an ocean going vessel and complies with the MCA code for charter use.
The skipper
Scottish skipper Stuart Jackson won 2nd place on the Barclays Adventurer in the Global Challenge 2004/5. Following Stuart’s success in the Global challenge he went on to become Regional International Trade Director for Barclays and now returns to the marine world owning and running his yacht Aurora of London.
In 2000 he entered the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), the largest transoceanic crossing in the world, sailing aboard his father’s yacht. After arriving in the Caribbean with the ARC fleet Stuart sailed back to his homeland of Scotland single-handed, via Bermuda and the Azores. In his time with the company Stuart has had a wide and varied sailing career; training Crew Volunteers, a sailing expedition to Spitzbergen and also skippered one of the support vessels in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race.
Itinerary
Friday
08.00 Arrive at yacht, Ocean Village, Southampton
08.30 Safety briefings & discuss plans for the weekend
09.00 Depart for sail training
Tacking – Gybing – Helming – Sail trim
12.00 Lunch on board
20.00 Dinner on board
Sleep overnight on yacht
Saturday
06.00 Breakfast & depart for the Solent
06.30 Leave the dock for Race start
12.30 Lunch on board when applicable
18.00 Drinks & dinner in Cowes*
Sleep overnight on yacht
Sunday
08.00 Depart, more sailing!
12.00 Lunch on board
16.00 Return back to Ocean Village, clean yacht and depart
* You will be expected to pay for your own dinner and drinks.
Team sponsor
We are pleased to announce that fun and quirky après sailing clothing company, Mad Cowes, have agreed to sponsor our team and all team members will receive a personalised rugby top.
