THE Longest Day Race at the Island Sailing Club – Reading, has been competed for on the nearest Sunday to the mid-summer's day since 1983, writes Dick Sawdon-Smith.

It lasts four hours, which makes it the longest race of the year.

It is, however, a team relay race, which means sailing of each dinghy will be shared by three members, changing helm every three laps or so.

This year the weather was almost perfect, with a steady easterly wind to power the boats at a good speed.

The winning team completed 17 laps in the four hours, but on corrected time, finished just 59 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals.

Engraved on the trophy this year will be the names of John Beech and Bill Taylor who have both been winners of the competition in previous years, but for the first time will be joined by the name of Roland Briggs who only completed his RYA Level One Sailing course at the club, it being a RYA Training Establishment, earlier this year.