Round the Island Race

Come and join ICAP Leopard for the Isle of Wight Round the Island Race this weekend, said the ICAP team who hope to break the race record to add to a string of other records they have broken of late.

It would have been quite something to have been out on the rail of this super-maxi and back in Cowes for lunch. Sadly I had another commitment - sea kayaking with friends, off the Isle of Wight ironically.

It should be quite a sight, watching close on 1,900 entries competing in what must be Britain's most popular yacht race. If you're out there and you see four canoes bobbing around on the water as you're approaching The Needles do give us a wave.

Sailing the dream

Hilary Lister has begun her remarkable voyage around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. For those who are unfamiliar with this 36-year-old quadriplegic woman, suffice to say that she controls her Artemis 20 yacht using a "sip and puff" system of straws. If you would like to cheer her on, here is her itinerary. More about Hilary here.

More "roadkill" from Leopard in the hunt

As Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard closes in on the transatlantic world speed record for a mono-hulled yacht with power-assisted winches, sea life is scattering from its path. Or not, in case of a poor sunfish that became wrapped around the rudder.

In the record bulletin the emphasis was entirely focussed on time lost rather than the plight of the fish. Fish, dolphins, whales - they just seem to be regarded as inconvenient hazards for yachts.

For surface swimming sea life a modern racing yacht travelling at speeds of between 20 and 30 knots is akin to a blunt blade cutting through the waves. A big whale might have a chance but anything else can forget it. Yet no-one seems to mind.

Well I would like to stand up for the fish and the mammals. It's distressing to hear of whales, sharks and other wildlife shredded and thumped by these high tech racers. I suppose it's just another form of road kill.