You are assuming that they missed the island because they didn't know it was there. And I am telling you anyone doing that race KNOWS the islands are there as all the conversation before, during, and after is about which way to go around the islands to get the best advantage (wind and sea angles). AND the owner of the boat had done the race before and won.

Heck I am just as confused as the next guy about why anyone would set a course right to the islands... KNOWING they are there.

Of course the only real answer is the guy setting the autopilot had to be the one guy either not listening, or with no knowledge of the area... which defies prudence.