Page 10 - Folk Boat Year Book 2022

Folkboats: the most successful design in the Round the Island Race

This year celebrating its 80th anniversary, the Nordic Folkboat stands out as the
most successful design in the history of the Round the Island Race (RTI) with
remarkable competitive longevity.

As Nordic Folkboat fleets across the Western Solent (and around the World!) gear up
for the 2022 Sessan Cup and the UK National Championships, both to be held at the
Royal Lymington Yacht Club in September, all eyes will be on Folkboat performance at
this year’s RTI on 25th June.

Folkboat success in the RTI

If you want to win the Round the Island Race, you need the right boat; one that will
benefit from the tidal gates in this race. Past history tells us that the overall winner
will generally come from either IRC Division 3D or IRC Division 0.

Now, if you have a spare £200,000 in your pocket then you might be able to get hold
of a second hand TP52 in IRC Division 0. But less than £20,000 will afford you a boat in
Division 3D with arguably a better chance of a top place!

Within IRC Division 3D, the Folkboat stands out. It benefits from tuning up with close
one-design class racing in Solent waters, which helps it to sail to its optimum in these
conditions. No wonder then that the Nordic Folkboat has won the Gold Roman Bowl
on four occasions in the last 16 years.

The Folkboat is the most successful design in the history of the Round the Island Race,
with success under several handicapping systems demonstrates its remarkable
competitive longevity.

Folkboat success in the early days

The first Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, was run on 11th
July 1931. This inaugural race had 25 entries and the winner was one of the smallest
boats in the fleet; a 22ft Cornish fishing boat named Merry Conceit. This result clearly
set a precedent for the smaller boats to take overall honours in this race.

10