The organisers of this year’s Round the Island race have announced that the J-Class Velsheda and the 12 metre Sceptre are to join the expected 1, 800 competing yachts on 28th June.

In the Classic Racing Yachts class, Sir Robin Knox Johnston is to skipper Sceptre, which was built in 1958 to mount the first postwar challenge to the Americas Cup. While she was roundly beaten by the defender, Columbia, after modification she was extremely succesful on the racing circuit. She is currently owned by Sceptre Preservation LLP, whose aim is to safeguard her for future generations.

Racing under IRC will be Velsheda, the giant J class yacht, just returned from a restoration. This will be her fifth Round the Island race, and she will no doubt make an impressive sight as she dwarfs the rest of the fleet.