Peter Cunningham’s PowerPlay Racing Team is ramping up for the 90th birthday of the world famous Round the Island Race (3 July), organised by the Island Sailing Club.
Subject to weather conditions, his MOD70 PowerPlay is more than able to break the race record, and be the first boat to complete the historic 50-mile course around the Isle of Wight.
Peter Cunningham has raced high performance yachts the world-over, and finds the prospect of racing PowerPlay in the iconic race around the Isle of Wight irresistible.
“The MOD70 is the most exciting boat I have raced and the chance to compete in the Round the Island Race is a pinnacle!” said Peter. “It is a great course and one of the stand-out moments is bearing away at The Needles. Going from 20+ upwind to 35 knots and more, you can feel the acceleration! Competition will be tough, but the boat and crew are in great shape, so bring it on!”
PowerPlay, as Concise 10, set the Round the Island Race Record in 2017. PowerPlay skipper Ned Collier Wakefield was in charge of the record run of 2h 22m 23s, and Collier Wakefield will skipper PowerPlay for this year’s race.
“PowerPlay is certainly capable of beating the record we set in 2017, but as usual the wind gods will have the final say. Ideally we would need an 18+ knot southerly for a quick lap,” said Ned. “We are really looking forward to racing in the RTI again, especially as some of the big boys (Ultimes) are coming to play!”
