THE COURSE is more than 55 miles long, and could take up to 17 hours to complete.
But, despite the gruelling hours and challenging conditions, nearly 1,800 yachts carrying more than 12,000 people will line up on the Cowes start line for the 76th Round the Island Race.
Sailors from all over the world will descend on the Solent tomorrow for the race - the largest yacht race of its kind in the world - competing for 80 trophies.
Full story in today's Daily Echo At 5am on the dot, Hampshire celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh will fire the starting gun from the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes.
Yachts large and small will all squeeze through Hurst Race and out round the treacherous Needles before sailing past St Catherine's Point, Bembridge Ledge and past Palmerston Forts to the finish line outside Cowes.
Hundreds of Hampshire sailors will be taking part in the race, including some rockstars of the sailing world.
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