The spectacle continues

Sian Cowen is distracted from trimming by the pretty boats

We turned downwind towards our pre-start area. The next fleet to start was the big modern IRM. They were so tightly grouped together you could here all usual start line rantings and then a load bang as we witness Hasso Plattner's Maxi Morning Glory's bow collide with Mike Slade's Maxi Skandia Leopard. Both boats continued to race but Morning Glory had a significant dent in her bow.

Our fleet had a very clustered start and only just enough breeze to give us forward momentum. Once over the line every one battles for clear air in order to get through the tide up to the first mark West Lepe near Beaulieu. This was a tricky task for many of the boats as they need minimum tide in order to move 25 tonne plus through the water. The entire fleet opted to hug the shore and take the risk which for many like the Swan Lady in Red it didn't work out as she went aground.
Continued on page three.....