17:00 – Turning the corner at Bembridge we entered a totally different style of coast. We had left the dramatic unspoilt cliffs along the southern shores behind in favour of the quaint yachty seaside resorts on the eastern tip of the island. Coming up the Solent was far more comfortable in the boat and we were able to hammer full speed in the offshore wind, barely able to keep up with Ross who was on a massive reach headed all the way towards Portsmouth. The Solent was a whole new world, filled with ferries, boats, hovercrafts and ancient forts. The sun was shining, the water was flat and we were all cranking along full power, making great headway as we started the home leg back west towards Colwell Bay.
Ross – “After rounding Culver it felt like the wind bent around the island, so Whitecliff Bay, Forelands and all the way round to Fishbourne I did in one huge reach. At Fishbourne I put a tack in just to put me back closer to the shore. That part was pretty quick and I thought that I’d be home in another thirty minutes. I was on a tight reach sailing close to the wind; which is more like I am used to sailing on a slalom board. My equipment felt really comfortable on this stretch. I was just sitting there without too much effort and still flying pretty fast”
