Round the Island Race 2010

What will you be doing this Saturday at 5am? I would imagine most of you will be tucked up in bed fast asleep, however for the crew of some 1754 yachts they will be getting ready to start the 2010 Round the Island Race.

The race run by the Island Sailing Club is now in it's 79th year and is the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK (Behind the London Marathon and Great North and South runs if you were wondering). The race follows a 50 nautical mile course Westbound around the Isle of Wight that pits professional round the world record breaking sailors and there flying machines against families in their weekend cruising yachts. While the pro's generally thrash round in a few hours (the course record is held by Francis Joyon in 3hrs 08 mins 29 seconds) the family cruisers battle round almost all day hanging on to the prospect of claiming a major scalp on handicap or winning their fleet.

If you can get down to the Solent on Saturday it's well worth a trip as this truly is quite a spectacular event to watch (however it's worth checking the times as the fleet will disappear round the back of the island for a few hours)alternatively why not try out the new feature for this year on the Round the Island website where you can track the fleet round the course.

Good luck to all that are taking part and lets hope the weather is good.

Teen Solo Sailor Hits trouble in the Indian Ocean

Teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland sparked a desperate overnight search mission in the Indian Ocean last night after setting of 2 emergency beacons.

It is believed that Abby was talking to her parents via satellite phone when they lost signal, they reported on her blog that should had been suffering difficulties and had experienced repeated knock downs with winds up to 60knots and 50 foot waves. Her position was believed to be about 2,000 miles of the coast of Madagascar.

Abby's parents said

"We were helping her troubleshoot her engine that she was trying to start to charge her systems. Satellite phone reception was patchy. She was able to get the water out of the engine and start up. We were waiting to hear back from her when American search and rescue authorities called to report having received a signal from her emergency beacon," they said. "We are working closely with American, French and Australian search and rescue authorities to coordinate several ships in the area to divert to her location."

Despite these efforts it is believed that the closest ship was still some 2 days away, however last night Abby's parents posted this update on her web site

'ABBY IS FINE!

We have just heard from the Australian Search and Rescue. The plane arrived on the scene moments ago. Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather conditions are abating. Radio communication was made and Abby reports that she is fine!

We don't know much else right now. The French fishing vessel that was diverted to her location will be there in a little over 24 hours. Where they will take her or how long it will take we don't know.

More updates as news comes in.

Laurence & Marianne'

The 16 year old Sunderland from California is the latest of a stream of teenage sailors vying for the title of youngest person to sail solo around the world. She had hoped initially to do the journey non stop but was forced into port in South Africa to repairs to her autopilot. Her Brother Zac Sunderland claimed the record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world last year (a record which was then broken by British teenager Mike Perham).

I'm sure this scare for Abby all though fortunately it looks to have a happy ending will only heighten the debate surrounding this new craze to be the youngest ever person to sail around the world which has been met by much criticism from many well respected persons and governing bodies.

We wish Abby a safe return to shore.

Special Offer on Secumar Ultra AX lifejacket

For a limited time only we have a very special offer on the top of the range Secumar Ultra AX life jacket.

Secumar is one of the worlds leading life jacket manufacturers producing safety equipment for many of the worlds armed forces and the German, Dutch and French search and rescue organisations.

The Ultra AX Life Jacket is manufactured in Germany and is designed around the recommendations laid down by the RNLI.

Features of these Life jackets include a 170N buoyancy, easy to use 'click' buckle, integral harness, unique firing mechanism and single point green for go inspection window. The Secumar Ultra AX Life jacket comes with crutch straps, fitted light for use at night, fitted spray hood a fleece lined collar for extra comfort and a whistle, reflective tape and lifting becket.



All this would normally cost £129.99 but from Mailspeed Marine you can purchase this Life Jacket for just £84.99 Saving £45. This offer is only while stocks last and unfortunately when there gone there gone.

For more details on this life jacket or to buy now just click here

NewMailspeed Marine website, more helpful for customers

Mailspeed Marine are today launching a new version of their website – www.mailspeedmarine.com - with the aim of making online shopping even easier and quicker.

Taking feedback from their customers and internal team, Mailspeed Marine has introduced a number of new features and functions so that customers can quickly find and order the right products including:

Bigger and clearer images of the items – When the customer browses the products they will now make it much easier to see details, colours etc.

A handy video icon – Many of the products now have demonstration videos, which can be accessed by a new highly visible icon. These show a quick video clip of the product in action, enabling customers to check in a matter of minutes if the product is right for them.

New FAQ section – If the customer needs some advice or has a question about something, there is an improved ‘online help’ section, packed with common questions collected from previous customers. Mailspeed Marine has established that this should answer 8 out 10 questions, again making buying online quicker and simpler.

Clearer checkout with improved delivery options – When they are ready to pay for their purchases, customers will find a clearer checkout for faster confirmation and purchasing.

Laure Moyle, retail director for Mailspeed Marine, said: “Customers use our facilities on a day-to-day basis. They know what they want and need from it.

“They often come up with the most simple and essential improvement suggestions. You only have to listen and give them easy ways to interact with you.

“We listen, we ask questions and read all feedback sent to us very carefully. That way we make sure we prioritise improvements most important to you.

“What we want is to make their shopping experience as quick and easy as possible, so they can spend more time on the water, enjoying their hobby or their passion.”

Mailspeedmarine.com set out to break the mould earlier this year by offering free shipping on orders from £50 and free returns on all clothing and footwear as standard.

Mailspeedmarine.com has thousands of marine products for sale online and ships to mail order customers across the globe.

Ends.

For more information about Mailspeed Marine please contact Laure Moyle, retail director, on 01342 710622 or email laure.moyle@friday-ad.co.uk