The Royal Artillery (RA) is represented by Bombardier 2, an Elan 340 helmed by 20-year old Charlie Wilson, a Commissioned Officer in the RA who will be joined on board by other serving members of the RA based in Gosport.

A familiar name racing this year is GIRLSFORSAIL skippered by Annie O Sullivan. Annie started up her business finding weekend events and sailing holidays for women several years ago having recognised that women are good sailors, enjoy the sport and there are not enough opportunities for them to get out on the water. Annie’s joined by an all-female crew aboard this Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43.

The crew of SB3 Edigitalresearch is highly qualified in many areas! Robert has a strong throwing arm, skipper Ian Duke once fought off a bear, Alec was head boy at a leading public school and Ed once ran just over half a mile! In the 2008 race they notched up a fantastic time of two hours from the Needles to the Fort.

The awesome ICAP Leopard will be back with us and raring to try and beat her course record set in 2008 of 3hrs 53mins 05secs, with owner, property tycoon Mike Slade at the wheel. This stunning yacht is a full 30 metres long, 6.8 metres wide, has a 5.5 metre draft, a 4.5 metre fixed bowsprit, one towering 47 metre mast, and the keel cants 40 degrees either side of centreline.