After an easy start to the day the crews on the leading yachts in the Round the Island race are beginning to feel the breeze and take to the windward rail for the beat along the South of the Island.

The leading yacht, trimaranNuka Hiva 2, was picking up around 12 knots as it passed the halfway point of the race at St Catherine’s Point.

As expected the largest yacht in the race, the 100ftCityindex Maximusis leading the pack in the IRC Group O class. The newly launched New Zealand entry looks a magnificent sight alongside well known Solent visitor, 90ftLeopard of London.

Ellen McArthur is enjoying an unusually leisurely sail onboard the colourfulB&Q. With her is another British record maker, Tom Avery, the youngest Briton to have reached the South Pole.

Amongst the first timers enjoying the sight and sounds of the “back” of The Island are students from five Isle of Wight schools. Sponsored by the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership and South East England Development Agency the pupils have not only learnt to sail but also studied how to put a yachting campaign together.