BBC TV commentator and presenter of the quality reality show ‘Question Time’, David Dimbleby, will start the Round the Island Race this year. He will fire the 0630 first start gun from the Royal Yacht Squadron on Saturday 21st June.

Mr Dimbleby has previously taken part in the Round the Island Race in the 1960s, on a Scod, but spent the first half of the race in the cabin with mall de mer as they went through what the Times later referred to as ‘Atlantic seas off Hurst’! These days he does most of his sailing in the summer in the South West on ‘Rocket’, his Heard 28ft gaffer built for him in 1980.
 
His RTI Race experience on June 21st should be far less gruelling as he is being joined by his son, 16 year-old Fred, on board a Farr 65. The pair will be racing with Team Volvo sailors Luke Patience (a 2012 Silver Medallist) and Elliot Willis (2 x World Champion) who are campaigning for Gold in Rio 2016 in the Men’s 470 class.