Southampton-based sailor, Nick Cherry, has got off to a fantastic start in the tough single-handed race, La Solitaire du Figaro. He is currently in 3rd place. The fleet of 37 identical boats left Paimpol in Brittany, France, today bound for Gijon in northern Spain.
Fellow Southampton sailor, Sam Goodchild is in 17th position, while 21 year old Henry Bomby, the youngest sailor in the fleet is in 22nd place.
All three sailors are members of the Cowes-based Artemis Offshore Academy. The race is made up of 3 legs. This, the first leg is 504 miles and is due to finish on Wednesday.
Giant hangar doors at Venture Quays in Cowes on the Isle of Wight are being repainted for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The flag was first painted in 1977 for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Over the coming few weeks international sailors like Dame Ellen MacArthur will take part in the project.
