We've just observed the Round the Island Race Grand Prix and multihull divisions make the long upwind leg to the Needles, with Maiden II moving swiftly away, seeking to break yet another record.

We’ve just observed the Round the Island Race Grand Prix and multihull divisions make the long upwind leg to the Needles, with Maiden II moving swiftly away, seeking to break yet another record.

The current Round the Island record time is held by PlayStation (Steve Fossett) and stands at an amazing 2hr 33min 55sec, set in October 2001.

Multihulls form just a part of the impressive line up of over 1600 boats on the Round the Island Race line. Ellen MacArthur’s Open 60, Kingfisher, is just one of a number of monohulls out to steal the current record from Skandia Leopard, Mike Slade’s cruiser-racer, of 4hr 5min 40sec, set last year.

Weather is however against would-be record breakers. The wind is currently 12-13 knots out of the southwest off Cowes and anything up to 10 knots stronger at the Needles with the early starters also beating against the last of the foul tide. The forecast suggests F4-5 from the southwest, veering west later this afternoon.

Most of the classes will face wind against tide through the Needles and will also be foul-tided for much of the day.

More news will follow shortly from our reporting station onboard the Fairline 38 Phantom UKSA Marlin.