STATE-of-the-art catamarans blasting across the water at speeds of up to 40mph, not to mention a host of high-speed crashes and collisions.

It could only be the Extreme sailing Series – one of the most spectacular racing series in the world.

Launching Cowes Week for the fourth year running, the Extreme Sailing Series takes to the water on Saturday and will feature some of the top names in sailing, including Hampshire’s Pete Cumming, Mike Golding and Paul Campbell-James.

This year ten teams will go head-to-head each day at Cowes Week, providing exciting racing action just metres from the shore.

The Extreme Sailing Series has also teamed up with Isle of Wight DJ and Bestival curator Rob da Bank for a series of exclusive shows.

Under the label Sailing Rocks, the Extreme Sailing Series races will be followed by sets from some of the best DJs in the country at the Extreme Sailing Series Race Village at Egypt Point.