Yachts racing

Round the Island Race must haves from Helly Hansen

The Round the Island Race will be taking place on 29th June this year, and, as one of the largest yacht races in the world, we can expect to see around 15,000 sailors descend on Cowes this year for the event, along with many more spectators. Competitors travel from all over the UK, Europe and even as far away as the States to race the 50 nautical mile course around the Isle of Wight. It’s an all-day event as the first boats start at 0730, with the fastest returning in just a few hours, while the slower boats sometimes sail past sunset.

With the weather being so changeable lately, glorious sunshine is far from guaranteed, so anyone competing needs to be prepared for every eventuality. As the official Race Clothing Partner, Helly Hansen is your best port of call for high-performance sailing attire that will allow you to embrace whatever is thrown at you. Here are our top picks for this year…

Helly Hansen Crew Hooded Jacket

A reliable, lightweight waterproof is a must have for this year’s race, whether you’re competing or spectating, because you know you won’t be able to trust the British weather. This is the ever-popular versatile jacket for sailors leaning towards classic marine style and function. When the weather calls for added protection, this waterproof, breathable jacket with storable hood keeps you warm and dry.  Soft fleece lined collar and hand pockets add to the comfort and adjustable fit and a clean design makes this a favourite among crews around the world.

Available from Wetsuit Outlet in men’s and women’s sizes.

Helly Hansen Daybreaker ½ Zip Fleece

This super-lightweight ½ zip fleece is a must have. Highly versatile, it works as a pullover to stay warm during chilly nights on the water, as well as functioning as a light mid-layer in spring and summer, and, paired with some classic Helly Hansen base layers, it’ll see you through the winter months too. This ½ zip, warm, breathable and comfortable fleece is a year-round companion for any outdoor, sailing or ski enthusiast.

Available from Wetsuit Outlet in men’s and women’s sizes.

Helly Hansen Light Dry Bag

Whether you’re going to be on the water for a few hours or all day and the next (and the next, and the next…), a high-quality dry bag to keep your valuables (and sandwiches!) dry is essential. Helly Hansen’s dry bags come in a range of sizes, from 3 litres up to 20, so whatever you need to keep safe from the spray and showers, they’ve got you covered.

Available from Wetsuit Outlet in 3L, 7L, 12L and 20L.

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There’s still time to shop the entire Helly Hansen collection before race day, with discounts across all ranges for adults and children.

If you want to find out more about the Round the Island Race, their website is full of useful information about the course and the best vantage points, as well as explaining the history of how a 25 boat race in 1931 grew into the 1,400 strong fleet it is today!

Updated on 1st October 2019

Originally published on 14th June 2019 in Sailing

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