A magic round the island

Sian Cowen reports from on board the Swan 55 Gandalf Wight Sourcerer

It was quite shy down to the Needles and the fleet were met once again by a huge aray of spectators including the Cable and Wireless trimaran and Tony Bulimore's catamaran Team Legato. The race so far had flowed nicely but round the Needles we were to meet the ebb of the largest spring tide in 100 years. The entire fleet bar ourselves had gybed at the Admiral buoy, a special mark laid off the Needles to run down the Island side to the finish. But instead of going up the south channel skipper Tom Richardson decided to stand on, following the Corel 45 Babalaasahead of us.

The sight at the Needles was overwhelming with some incredible old schooners, ketches and two J Class yachts Endeavour and Velsheda.The only thing to spoil the moment was the whirring of the helicopters circling above.

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