The exact nature of the error that led someone to share the wisdom of the ‘5Ps’ with me has grown hazy with time, but I’ve never forgotten the advice: ‘Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance’ (other versions are available).
It’s the perfect adage for the Round the Island Race. Run by the Island Sailing Club in late June every year, this famous 64-mile lap of the Isle of Wight off the south of England is an excellent test of the navigator and tactician (this year’s event takes place on 1 July). The distance is long for an inshore race, but you’ll be racing in close contact with hundreds of other boats for much of it. The tides are strong, the coastline rocky and the British summer weather is… well, the British weather. No one gets to sail a Round the Island Race perfectly according to plan – the unpredictable is
