Apr 14, 2010 16:36 EST

EDGARTOWN, MA:  Edgartown Yacht Club ‘Round-the-Island Race The Next Cowes? 

The number of participating yachts may not quite be equal as yet, but if you’re looking for a race that’s similar in many, many ways to the famous annual race around the Isle of Wight (the original America’s Cup course), look no further then Martha’s Vineyard and the annual EYC ‘Round the Island Race. 

The distance around Martha’s Vineyard is similar (only a few miles longer); both courses have views of cliffs, headlands, villages and open water; and the tidal currents and wind effects are important in both. The course around the Vineyard passes in sight of the seven lighthouses of Cape Poge, Gay Head, Tarpaulin Cove, Nobska, West Chop, East Chop and Edgartown.  In the morning the fleet sails between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket along the east beach of Chappaquiddick. At midday they are in the open Atlantic Ocean with views of the south coast of the Vineyard.  In the afternoon, rounding the gorgeous cliffs of Gay Head, the fleet sails up Vineyard Sound which was the second busiest body of water in the world during the age of sail.  

 Adding even more spirit to the 68th running of the Edgartown Yacht Club’s annual ‘Round-the-Island Race, the Club recently announced that Mount Gay Rum would be the sole sponsor of the 2010 circumnavigation of beautiful Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday, July 24.  Synonymous with sailing regattas around the world, Mount Gay will be featured at a cocktail party and buffet for skippers, crew and EYC members on the Friday night before the race.  Past notable winners of this 52.8 mile race include RAMBLER, SCHERAZADE and MONEYPENNY. Open to PHRF, IRC, Cruising class yachts, and for the first time ever, One Design classes, the race is a highly competitive but fun race for all participants.  (see http://www.rti.org for Notice of Race details.) 

With the prestigious addition of Mount Gay Rum to the race (a Northeast sponsorship addition to a calendar containing premier sponsorships throughout the country and the world), the Edgartown Yacht Club is looking forward to the most exciting, fun-filled  ‘Round-the-Island Race ever.