- Who
- Phil Sharp
- What
- 5:5:4 hour(s):minute(s):second(s)
- Where
- United Kingdom ()
- When
The fastest time to sail around the Isle of Wight singlehanded in a 40-ft-or-under sailboat is 5 hours 5 minutes 4 seconds – an average speed of 9.83 knots (18.2 km/h; 11.3 mph) - by Phil Sharp aboard OceansLab on 1 December 2019. Sharp set off from the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes at 8:24:39 UTC and completed the 50-nautical-mile (92.6-km; 57.5-mph) circumnavigation at 13:29:43 UTC. The speed was ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
The Isle of Wight is the largest of England's islands, situated off the south coast. The island, and in particular the port town of Cowes, is a Mecca for sailing enthusiasts.
Sharp undertook his record-breaking circumnavigation as part of a drive to promote clean energy alternatives. OceansLab is, he says, “an offshore sailing team innovating and showcasing critical renewable energy technologies for a clean maritime industry today”. He continues: “Ocean racing is about pushing human and technological boundaries in a race to win, but there is a much greater race at stake; a race to clean and protect our oceans.”
Sharp beat the record of fellow Brit Alex Alley, who circumnavigated the island in Pixel Flyer on 2 January 2017 in a time of 6 hours 29 minutes 32 seconds (7.9 knots).
