Cayman sailor Peter Cunningham, 84, and Caymanian Olympian Charlotte Webster, 21, were part of a crew that achieved line honours – crossing the finish line first – in the Round the Island Race in the Isle of Wight.
Webster says the invitation to join the race on 7 June came from Cunningham, someone she always admired and described as being a lifelong supporter who championed her sailing career.
Participating in this race on one of the fastest boats afloat – Zoulou, the MOD70 trimaran, formerly known as PowerPlay – has been a life-long dream of hers and she described the experience as a “blur of teamwork, speed, and sensory overload”.
Furthermore, she said it was unlike anything she’s ever experienced before – even including the 2024 Paris Olympics in which she competed.
Webster represented the Cayman Islands in the ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) at the Olympics and noted the contrast between single-handed dinghy racing and the high-speed dynamic of the MOD70.
Despite the differences, she emphasised the core sailing principles remained the same: “reading the breeze, balancing the boat and anticipating shifts”.
The race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, saw hundreds of boats competing, with the start and finish in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England.
During the pre-race training, Webster said she got a “taste of the power” that was to come.
“I was one of four on the grinders, facing aft, but every time I glanced over my shoulder, I saw speeds creeping into the 30s. At one point, I caught the dial reading 35 knots. It was outrageous. What’s strange is how normal it begins to feel – until you stop. Only then does your body register the sheer velocity you’ve just experienced,” she noted.
On race day, after a 7:40am start, Zoulou showcased its speed and power, with Webster calling pressure to Cunningham at the helm.
She later had the opportunity to helm the MOD70 herself, reaching top speeds in 28-knot gusts.
“I took a break about two hours in when approaching the leeward mark and Charlotte and then Magnus Wheatley had a drive,” Cunningham said. “The next leg, the reach up to the Fort, was the fastest part of the race and we hit close to 35 knots in a gust.”
For Webster, she says this was one of the most exhilarating moments of her sailing life.
Webster praised the crew’s cohesion and trust, highlighting the calm leadership of Ned Collier-Wakefield, skipper and team captain from the Isle of Wight, and the presence of legendary Paul Larsen, the current fastest sailor in the world.
Other members of the crew, described as a “pickup team” by Cunningham, were Bruno (NoNo) Jeanjean, multi-participant in the America’s Cup; Thomas LeBreton, French sailing Olympian; Tom Buggy, Tom Dawson, Jean Sebastian, Rachelle Bunker, Henry Woods and photographer Jonah Morrison.
“Everyone moved with precision and quiet confidence. No one was shouting. Everyone knew their role. It was, in the truest sense, elite sport,” Webster said of the crew.
Zoulou finished the race first in an elapsed time of 3:26:20, but came in sixth overall with a corrected time of 7:40:45, adjusted for the boat’s design, size and performance.
“Days like this don’t come often. I’ll never forget it – and I already can’t wait to do it again,” Webster said.
The next Round the Island Race is scheduled for Saturday, 11 July 2026.
