A live show will be broadcast on the Round the Island Race website for all to see
Organisers of the Round the Island Race have announced plans to stream live coverage of the event to a global audience.
Television coverage of the race is being significantly extended this year to include commentated coverage of the starts and early finishes, with the programme being broadcast on EventTV in Cowes, at two race hubs in Hamble and Lymington and on the official race website.
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The live show will feature pre-race interviews with key competitors and race officials, full coverage of each of the 11 starts, audio interviews during the race and live coverage of the first boats across the line back in Cowes.
The package will also incorporate live fleet tracking graphics, key results, weather updates and features from some of the race sponsors.
Two commentators will anchor the show and keep viewers updated with the latest race progress and news from the event.
Organisers are hoping the new initiative will enhance the coverage and post-race engagement with followers, and achieve additional exposure for the title sponsor and race partners.
Commenting on the launch of RTI TV, press officer Peta Stuart-Hunt said: “The Round the Island Race is utterly unique and is all about delivering an unforgettable experience to competitors, families and friends, sponsors, supporters around the world and the thousands of visitors to Cowes.
“RTI TV will share that incredible atmosphere, the buzz and the colour, the visual impact of such a massive fleet of yacht of all shapes and sizes, competing together, equally.”
Race organisers at the Island Sailing Club have also recently announced the introduction of the two race hubs, one at the Royal Southern YC in Hamble and one at the Royal Lymington YC in Lymington where race followers can keep up to date with the action.
Hetty Sowerby from title sponsor J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said: “The introduction of the RTI TV is a fantastic step forward for the race to appeal to a much wider audience.
“Over our 11 year sponsorship the race has continued to grow, yet still holds its unique values, continuing to very much be a race for all. We hope those supporters who are unable to join on race day can utilise this fantastic new addition.”