Celebrities all at sea for charity

The England and Harlequins centre was just one of the celebrities taking part in the Artemis Challenge, a 60-mile charity sprint around the Isle of Wight onboard ocean-going 60ft Open 60 yachts.

Sky Sports presenter Georgie Thompson, children's television favourite Johnny Ball and royal Lady Gabriella Windsor were among the other celebs joining the nine teams battling it out for the £10,000 charity prize.

Will, 34, said: "This is the first time I've sailed a boat, let alone been to Cowes Week.

"It's really fantastic to be able to sail in the Artemis Challenge - and it's not like we are going on any ordinary boat either.

"To be sailing on such high spec racing boats with some of the best sailors in the business makes me feel a little out of my depth!"

Will, who retired from international rugby in 2006 with 55 caps and 31 tries to his name, revealed that he was in awe of the top flight sailors taking part in the challenge.

"I was so star struck I didn't know what to say to Dame Ellen MacArthur," he said.

"What she has done in her career makes anything us rugby boys have done seem half-hearted.

"When we finish a game we go back to the hotel, have a bath, have nice meal, and there are always people looking after us.

"But in Ellen's game, unless you can do every single thing yourself for days on end, don't bother applying.

"What she has achieved is simply amazing."

Despite her dad owning a boat in Lymington, Georgie Thompson has never competed in Cowes Week before.

Speaking to the Daily Echo before joining skipper Sam Davies onboard yacht Roxy, the 29-year-old said: "I've not been sailing much before, so this is a bit of a baptism of fire for me!

"I'm told that I'm being thrown in at the deep end and that sailing Open 60s is the sailing equivalent to racing a Formula One car so I'm really looking forward to it."

Among the sailors competing in the race, Southampton's very own Jonny Malbon took the helm of Artemis Ocean Racing.