Milling around at the start, the fleet looked possibly the biggest ever for the 75th anniversary of the Round the Island race. As The VX40s reached the half way point between The Needles and St Catherine’s the last start, due to be fired off at 8.10 has been delayed.

Sam Brunner reports live from the Red Ensign rib :

“Much of the fleet went for a spinnaker start though many had problems holding it. THe light offshore southerly wind means that most of the boats are coming far out from the Island. The size of the fleet for this 75th anniversary of the race is incredible.”

In the western Solent, the breeze is light in Hurst Narrows but boats are being carried along on the tide. Stay tuned to www.ybw.com/ym/roundtheisland06 for more news as it happens.

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