Windsor father prepares for Race Around The Island

A father is gearing up to take part in JP Morgan’s Race Around The Island Competition later this month.

Skipper, Thibaut Mallet, of Springfield Close, Windsor is taking part in the 50-mile one-day yacht race on Saturday, June 27.

The course, which is organised by the Island Sailing Club, starts and finishes at Cowes in the Isle of Wight.

It attracts 1,700 boats and 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world.

“I am actually much more calm than I was,” Thibaut said.

“If on the day you get good weather then everything will be fine.”

“I have to say I am a bit nervous about the amount of ships that will be around as mine is a small boat.

“It is going to be very crowded.”

Thibaut moved to Windsor from France 11 years ago with his wife.

They have two children, four-year-old Robin and Thomas who is eight.

In 2013, when he was seven, Thomas was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

Thibaut said after the initial shock of finding out his son had diabetes, the family have learnt to live with it.

“Despite the tests and insulin injections he has every day, he plays tennis, rugby, football and he will very soon beat his daddy to all of these sports,” he added.

Thibaut is raising money for Diabetes UK.

So far he has managed to raise over £2,000 which he says he is ‘very happy with’ despite initially having a target of £5,000.

You can visit www.justgiving.com/Diabeteround-the-Island-Race to donate.