In August 2016 Scott Dawson will attempt to swim about 60 miles, non-stop, around the Isle of Wight raising money for Meningitis Now and The Marine Conservation Society. So far £15000 has been pledged, half of Scott’s £30,000 target.
Mike Slade’s Leopard 3 racing yacht heard about the challenge and is auctioning a place on board Leopard 3 on Friday 1st July, which will be a full dress rehearsal before Leopard attempts to break their own record for the JP Morgan Round the Island Race the following day.
Scott Dawson is a highly accomplished yachtsman and has been part of many winning teams both offshore and inshore, but the father of 2 from Southampton has only taken up open water swimming in the last few years. Only 4 people have ever completed the grueling 55 mile swim and only 1 person, Anna Wardley in 2013, has completed Scott’s chosen route, including going around the Needles Lighthouse.
Scott has already swum from Stokes Bay to Ryde Pier and 12 miles from Ryde Pier to Norris Bank and back. However, he fully appreciates that swimming around the Isle of Wight, with strong tides and rough seas, is not going to be an easy task.
“The best time to make the attempt is late August, when the tide is most favourable and the water temperature is high, also traffic from regattas should have subsided. I will be accompanied by a team including trained medics but the challenge is to do the swim non-stop and it should take about 24 hours. Many thanks to Mike for his generous offer, as a sailor myself, I realise that sailing on Leopard will be a fantastic experience.”
Current record holder of the JP Morgan Round the Island Race, Mike Slade has broken the monohull record on 5 occasions, the near-perfect conditions of 2013 allowed Leopard to shave a further 10 minutes off her own record, posting an elapsed time of 3 hours 43 minutes and 50 seconds. After a £1million refit, Mike Slade’s record breaking Maxi, Leopard is back on the prowl. A new boom which is a metre longer with a significantly bigger mainsail, has given the record breaking Maxi even more power. The project took 6 months and the yacht now looks better than when she was brand new. Leopard’s first race since the refit will be the 2016 JP Morgan Round the Island Race.
Mike commented:
“The Round the Island Race has always been a special event for the sailing team and over the years we have shared the occasion with so many people.
Article continues below this advertisement “When we heard about Scott’s challenge to swim around the Isle of Wight, we did not hesitate to show our support. The Leopard team will be out for a full dress rehearsal on Friday July 1st and we are auctioning a place on board to join us.
“Scott’s preparation is very meticulous and his will to succeed is admirable. It will be a tremendous achievement and we wish him all the best. I will be looking forward to welcoming the successful bidder on board Leopard for the day, and I am sure that our guest will have an experience to remember.”
To bid for a place on Leopard, departing and returning to Ocean Village, Southampton, simply send your bid to [email protected] by 12:00 on Sunday 26th June. Foul weather gear, safety equipment and the ride of your life will all be provided.
For more information about Scott Dawson’s challenge visit www.swimiow.com.
Featured photo: Ian Finlay
