Olympian Ainslie set for Round Island Race

Triple gold medalist heads for Isle of Wight

Sailors from across the world, including British Olympian Ben Ainslie, will be in the Isle of Wight to prepare for the Round the Island Yacht Race that takes place on June 20th.

Triple Olympic gold medallist Ainslie will be sailing on the Extreme 40 catamaran Team Origin and says the race will be an "incredible spectacle".

A number of different classes of boat compete in the event - a sight which looks stunning to spectators but according to Ainslie represents a challenge for the sailors. "Racing with so many other boats, with quite different sailing characteristics can be quite difficult but exciting," he said.

The 50-mile course is organised by the Island Sailing Club and has been running since 1931. It now attracts competitors from Europe, the U.S. and Britain and has grown increasingly popular since just 25 entrants competed for the inaugural Gold Roman Bowl and first prize of £45.

Despite the credit crunch, over 1,684 vessels have entered this year's event and Commodore of the Island Sailing Club Bill Pimlott was expecting another successful race.

On June 20th, the yachts leave Cowes and head west towards Yarmouth before passing the Needles Lighthouse, St Catherine's Point and No Man's Land Fort before finishing back at Cowes.

It starts at 7:30 a.m. and the fastest boats should be finished by noon but sailing fans can enjoy the evening entertainment which runs past midnight.