The Race That Stops The Island—more commonly known as the Around the French Island Race—has launched the call for competitors to nominate themselves and their crew for a March 2022 start date. 
 
Cowes Yacht Club is preparing for what endeavours to be the biggest off the beach Catamaran race in all of Australia. And that's not the only record being broken—for the first time ever, there is prize money of $10000 waiting to be claimed by the best sailors from Victoria and interstate alike. 
 
You read that right. That means you've got less than a year to dust off the old wetsuit boots and get your rigging right for the highlight of the coming sailing season. No doubt, a sailor like you knows this kind of money is a game-changer for an event like this! Just imagine the bragging rights!
 
The lauded event is scheduled for a 12-noon start on Saturday, March 19, 2022. It won't just be sailors who answer the call. Spectators will need to see it with their own eyes—so you can be sure it will be a weekend of boosted tourism all around. 

 
The race averages approximately 4 to 5 hours in duration and covers about 70 km, making this race a marathon. Repeat: it is a marathon, not a sprint! This type of course tests not only each entrants skill level but also their endurance. 
 
The race exposes boats and crews to many and varied weather conditions with anything possible, from a drifter (soft wind) to heavy weather (strong wind). Combine this with winds coming over French Island and causing constantly varying wind direction and strengths, again testing the sailor's skills to the maximum. 
 
Westernport is subject to varying water depths, plus the tidal movement causes variable tide flow directions and speeds which is another test of each crews skill set.
 
The event has been run as a fun event for catamaran sailors giving many local WESTERNPORT sailors the opportunity to participate in a unique race that circumnavigates the historic French Island.
 
Sailors will be supported during the race from a safety point of view by Cowes Yacht Club’s rescue boats and other Westernport Club boats who have members participating in the race. These boats are all manned by club volunteers. 
 
The history of this signature Cowes Yacht Club event goes back decades. The Isle of Wight hotel was once the original sponsor—with the winner having their name engraved on the "Isle of Wight" trophy and receiving some samples of the iconic pub's wares to celebrate their win. This trophy is still in use today, and sailors are very keen to add their name alongside other local legends. 
 
Race conditions and rules are conducted under the guidance of Yachting Australia via RACING RULES of SAILING with all boats required to comply with YA Safety requirements for "Off the beach sailing" and are subject to audit on the day of the race. 
 
The kicker—COWES YACHT CLUB and their very generous sponsors have put up significant prize money to entice the cream of Victoria's cat sailors (interstate sailors also welcome) to participate. With up to $10,000 prize money on the deck we are assured of great racing and support from the catamaran sailors of Victoria.
 
Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions to follow shortly, including the resail day details being scheduled for Sunday March 20 2022.