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Initially postponed in May and moved in September, it will no longer take up position at all.
The organizers of the Island Racing Club said they had ‘explored each and every street with all the applicable government to keep the 2020 race alive.
“However, running the race to ensure Covid-19 compliance for the protection of staff and volunteers, as well as thousands of competencies, proved impossible.”
Race director Dave Atkinson said: “With the worry of a momentary wave, the growing number of travel restrictions, as well as the rise of local locks, our hopes of hosting this year’s race have faded.
“As navigation restrictions have eased, it is obvious that protection in water is becoming less problematic.
“But unfortunately, given that Round the Island is one of the UK’s most important sporting events, it’s simply not imaginable to achieve Covid-19 compliance on the ground under existing government guidelines.”
Ian Walker, regatta director of the Royal Yachting Association, “sad” to be informed that the race had been cancelled.
“I’m sure many other people like me were ahead of the competition, but I’m not surprised that the Island Sailing Club made this difficult decision,” said the two-time Olympic silver medalist.
“While the RYA has been pushing to return to the navigation we have enjoyed since May, we have also encouraged the navigation network to be thoughtful and conservative.
‘I believe that this decision recognises the potential risks of such a large-scale event, respects our RYA principles, and most importantly respects the emergency services and the many local communities that might have been affected.
“I hope 2021 is bigger and bigger than ever.”
All entries for this year’s race will be rescheduled for race of the year, which will take place on July 3, 2021.
The race around the island first took place in 1931 with 25 registrations.
Its number increased from 105 in 1950 to 1,309 in the mid-1980s.
A very good participation of 1813 was noted in 1989, the centenary of the Island Sailing Club, but even this surpassed in 2008 with a record 1875 registrations.