With images of the America's Cup still fresh in people's minds, I wanted to get a taste of what our GBR Challenge guys might have experienced in the land of the long white cloud, aka New Zealand, last winter.

I headed off to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth for the Solent Experience where two of these sleek America's Cup yachts are based for an experience that I will not quickly forget.

"You are on one of the biggest, fastest most expensive yachts on the sea today, enjoy." These were the closing words of the skipper Jarrod Bailey's rousing early morning speech as we stood alongside two £5m racing crafts - France 2 & France 3. Likened to Formula 1 cars, on the water the vessels looked pretty technical. Any thoughts of cruising with my face to the sun were soon dashed as the young, strong and weathered crew took us through a series of safety procedures.

Soon we were leaving our moorings and making our way to the open waters of the eastern Solent.

The skipper and crew were extremely helpful making this serious sport an absolute joy to be part of for those absolute novices among us. Each guest had been given a position to man and we spent the morning practising our tacks and gybes.

At all times a feeling of calmness was maintained as we smoked up and down the Solent. Invited to have a go at the helm the sensation was exhilarating. Very responsive, France 3 felt like a racehorse chomping at the bit.

A few nervous faces that had arrived on the dock first thing in the morning had melted into smiling, enthusiastic and wind-swept ones. A break for lunch on board and then time for some racing.

The true nature of what we were doing was plain to see as I looked across to France 2, the majestic mirror image of our yacht oozing power cutting through the waves like a knife through butter.

The morning's tutoring paid off. Three races later, a few aching muscles, our faces warmed by the sun and fired by the competition, we returned to the marina feeling like true athletes, if only for a day.

For those of you out there with a sense of excitement in your blood and a few spare hours then a day out with the Solent Experience yachts comes highly recommended.

Tuesday race evenings are being run in July from 5.30pm until 9pm departing from Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. Our competition for a free ride is open to all of you. Simply answer the following question: What is the original nationality of the winning skipper of the America's Cup held in Auckland this February?

Please send your answers by e-mail to: competition@solentexperience.comor or telephone Catherine Howland at the Solent Experience on 023 9222 2221.

The winner can choose one of the following evenings: July 1st, 8th, 15th or the 22nd. The winning name will be drawn next Friday.