Back on Home Waters

High drama, near-disaster and a very wet dog in the Round the Island Race

The Langley Holdings Gladiator Sailing Team were back on home waters for the first time since 2021 to compete in the IRC National Championships, June 23rd - 25th and the Round the Island Race, July 1st.

On a dramatic day of racing there were: 4 boats capsized, 3 dismasted, 3 helicopter evacuations, 19 man over-boards and over 20 hospitalisations. 

Gladiator to the rescue 

In one of the capsizes, a Gunboat 66 catamaran was wrecked and all 15 people on board and a family dog ended up in the water. 

Fortunately for them, the Gladiator chase boat was close by and everyone was rescued. And yes, the dog was pulled to safety too!

With a fresh breeze gusting up to 30 knots and building seas, 178 boats failed to complete the 50 nautical mile circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England. Out of around 1,100 entries more than 100 declined to start the race.

In a day of high drama the Gladiator was 3rd boat to finish and 5th overall on handicap. 

A week before, Gladiator dominated the big boat class in the IRC National Championships, winning 6 of the 8 races held over three days. 

In August the team will be competing at the world famous Cowes Week.  

About the Gladiator Sailing Team 

Gladiator Sailing Team is one of 11 teams from 7 different countries competing in the 2023 TP 52 Super Series, the world's premier mono hull yacht racing circuit, and other big boat yacht racing in the UK and the USA. 

In common with Langley businesses, the TP52 Super Series represents the very best technology in its field, attracts talented, dedicated people and is conducted with the highest standards of integrity.

About Langley Holdings

Langley Holdings plc is a privately owned UK-based engineering and industrial manufacturing group, principally producing capital equipment for diverse markets worldwide. Langley businesses are either outright market leaders, or occupy strong niche positions in their respective fields, providing advanced technologies in a solutions-based approach. The group operates in three principal areas: Power Solutions,  Print Technologies and Other Industrials. The group’s operations are based in Germany, Italy, France the UK and Norway, with 18 production facilities in Europe, the UK and the USA. The group has more than 90 sales and service subsidiaries worldwide and employs around 5,300 people.  Langley Holdings was established in 1975 by the current Chairman & CEO, Anthony Langley and remains entirely in family ownership.