The largest boat in Saturday’s race has been forced to bow out three days before the event
The biggest yacht in this year’s J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race has been forced to pull out due to rigging failure.
The 30m yacht Leopard was due to be co-helmed by owner Mike Slade and Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie during Saturday’s annual event.
She broke her own monohull record in last year’s race achieving a time of 3 hours 43 minutes and 50 seconds.
Sir Ben Ainslie, who had been looking to break the monohull record again this year, will now be racing on the Farr 45 Rebel instead.
He says that despite his regret at not having the chance to go for both course records, having broken the multihull record last year, he’s still looking forward to racing with his fellow BAR team members on a smaller boat.
More than 15,000 sailors are set to take part in this weekend’s race, which circumnavigates the Isle of Wight.
Sailors of all skill levels and from all parts of the globe will come together to compete against one another in this unique event.
If you’re sailing in this year’s Round the Island Race for the first time, make sure you read our guide, including our five top tips for the race.
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