The fleet has just entered the approaches to Southampton Water but a RIB is now towing the world-girdling yacht

The fleet has just entered the approaches to Southampton Water but a RIB is now towing the world-girdling yacht after her engine failed at 1450.

The easterly wind will favour Kingfisher once she is past Calshot, enabling Ellen perhaps to get off the towline. Even as write this the Open 60 has started to heel and pick up speed, the mainsail able to do some work for the first time since she entered the Solent.

Now the tow has been released!

A 1600 arrival at Ocean Village still looks to be very much on the cards. We have upwards of 50 craft around us and there are several thousand people now gathered in Southampton.

More news soon.