J.P. Morgan Asset Management is extending sponsorship of the Round the Island Race until 2012. Bespoke technology allowing spectators to remotely track the positions of boats during the race, an online photo gallery specifically for competitors and free, regular water taxis to ferry sailors between the Folly and the regatta village in Cowes Yacht Haven, will be provided.
 
The 2010 race starts at 0500 on Saturday 19th June.  With over 16,000 sailors of all ages and experience and around 1800 yachts the Race is now the 4th largest participation sporting event in the UK, after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs.
 
The Island Sailing Club also announced its intention to introduce live GPS tracking facilities for boats taking part in the 2010 Race.  Competitors with suitable GPS-equipped mobile phones or laptops will be able to continuously log their position as they sail around the Island. A global online audience of friends, family, sailing fans and media representatives will be able to follow the progress of participating boats via the Round the Island Race website and, after the finish, competitors will be able to replay their race and compare their performance with that of other boats.
 
The solution is being developed by the Race technology partner, Next Generation Results, and is one of the largest event tracking initiatives ever undertaken with mobile phone technology.  Subject to the completion of successful trials during the winter, each competitor with compatible equipment will be able to download a small piece of software that will allow their mobile phone or laptop to become a real-time GPS tracking device. The device’s position will be periodically transmitted to the race website, where a simple, easy-to-use race viewer will allow visitors to monitor the progress of individual boats throughout the race. More details of supported equipment and how to register for the service will be announced in the Spring.
 
 
One of the recurring things that competitors have said they would appreciate is better access to images of the Race fleet and their boats. In response, the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island website will have an online photo gallery where competitors can access professional photography along with details of how to purchase prints.
 
Lastly, the Island Sailing Club is delighted to announce that during the Race weekend, free water taxis will be running between the Folly and Cowes Yacht Haven, West Cowes.
 
The Race continues to raise an increasing amount for charitable causes with £100,000 raised in 2009.  J.P. Morgan Asset Management has confirmed that the SailTime Charity Challenge will take place in 2010 where the four preferred race charities – the Ellen MacArthur Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Care and Prostate UK – will race against each other in identical Oceanis 40 yachts. Anyone who would like to apply for a place should visit http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk