The Island Sailing club reported that there were now over 1700 entries. At least 9 LSC boats have entered. Some of the high profile sailors entering this year are:

Skipper Graham Tourell will be helming Artemis Ocean Racing, an Imoca 60. Built in 2008 the boat has also competed in the Vendée Globe and 2009 Transat Jacques Vabres. Open 60s are one of the fastest boats in sailing - built in carbon fibre using the latest hi-tech structures, they are designed to be as light as possible for speed's sake, but strong enough to withstand the worst the seas can throw at them. Let's hope they don't have to worry too much about the latter on race day.


Team GBR Olympic 49er sailor Ben Rhodes from Exmouth, Devon will be racing for fun on Lisette, a Hunter Medina 20.


Double Olympic Gold medallist Shirley Robertson will be racing on board Team Volvo 1 (the TP52 John Merricks II) and the World number one Laser sailor and 2008 Olympic Gold medallist Paul Goodison, from Sheffield, will be going round on Team Volvo 2 that is a Volvo 60 (V-Project).


The Triple Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie CBE, Paul's previous mentor, will be racing on J.P. Morgan Asset Management Prince's Trust (aka Fair Do's VII) a Ker 46. As Ben reveals, "It's a boat that my Team GBR Olympic Manager Stephen 'Sparky' Park often sails but he's not competing this year. The other crew members will be young ambassadors from the Prince's Trust. I am an Ambassador for the Trust so I'm really looking forward to sailing for it."


Two Extreme 40s have signed up and there may be more to come. Firstly, the Race is delighted to welcome back Mike Golding and Ecover and there's also an Extreme 40 entered as Team Metherell. Mike Golding has consistently been at the forefront of the professional IMOCA Open 60 class and has achieved his various successes to great acclaim. His crew will include the Skandia Team GBR former Tornado pairing of Will Howden and Leigh McMillan.


Amongst the fleet of 14 SB3s entered so far are three boats racing with a selection of Volvo Youth Squad sailors on board as part of their training for the 2010 Volvo ISAF Youth World Championships taking place in Istanbul in July.


Mike Wood, Sam Batten, Sophie McKeeman make up the crew on board SB3 Volvo RYA Youth Team 1 along with their coach Duncan Truswell, the RYA's Youth Racing Manager. Joanna Freeman, Cameron Douglas, Hugh Brayshaw make up Team 2 with Coach Ben Oakley who is on the RYA selection panel for the Youth Squad. Henry Lloyd-Williams, Sam Sills and Hannah Mitchell are crewing in Team 3 alongside Roy McCubbin, the RYA's Double-handed Pathway Manager.


Last year's Raymarine Round the Island Young Sailor Trophy winner on his First 21.7 ‘Pocket Rocket' was Matt Ponsford, from Chichester, who is now 17. He's back this year racing his new Dufour 325 Grand' Large named Inspiration. She was only launched in April in Ipswich and Matt has recently sailed her to her home berth in Chichester.


X-Yacht Exhilarance from Hamble will be skippered by Pip Lucas who has completed 15 Round the Island Races. Pip will be joined by pupils from the lower sixth and fourth forms at Churcher's College in Petersfield, none of whom have any previous race experience. They have been enjoying a few days' training in the Solent and according to Sarah Kennedy, school spokesperson, "the students are really enjoying it but I find it hilarious that they fall asleep in the minibus on the way back to school."


Remember, if you have entered, let Barrie Martin know so that you are in with a chance of the Club trophies. Contact Barrie using this link http://www.littleshipclub.co.uk/user/1215/contact