The team start to gather on the ferry to Isle of Wight
Don't worry Timmy, it's only a camera...
A relaxed Katie, Timmy and Bex
The harbour at Cowes, looking pretty busy already!
Early morning start as we head for the designated waiting area. Team a little pensive
ah... it was a very early start! poor Rick
Gordon: "Where's my winch man?'
safety boat... and boy was it needed... 1600 boats were quite a sight!
Quite how the Red Funnel ferries find a way through is still a mystery....
We waited for the start... postponed for 1 hour due to lack of wind
and we waited....
Okay... 20 minutes, then we start.
lots of boats, different sizes, but mostly the same shape!
Some quite beautiful boats.
Some trimarans featured too... including Ellen MacArthur's B&Q... though this isn't it!
another ferry gingerly makes her way through the masses
Innovex was enormous
team briefing over... come on... let's go!
Race postponed (again) due to v.large container ship
Melissa after team briefing
Yep... and the ferries kept comiing (!)
first opportunity to take a few snaps... there was quite a lot to do at the start!
How's that mainsail looking Katie?
We were ahead of this lot...
... and overtook Witchcraft (!)
yep... hammer down... we are going for it!
We passed them too!
Some were just out for the fun... they gave us lots of water... thanks
Our start was rubbish... but the pace was stonking at this point.