The winds and storms returned to the Solent for the sixth race in the Tyco Healthcare Hamble Winter Series but the weather hazards paved the way for an enthralling finale to the event.

With one day remaining on Sunday, competition in the top two classes is fierce after David Murrin, sailing his Farr 40, 2XL, won both IRM races, to move into fourth place overall, 11 points behind series leader El Gringo, Nick Hartshorn's Ker 11.3m.

Shaun Frohlich, Exabyte (2), and Jon Perry, Firestorm, took second and third in IRC Class 1 to set up a two-horse race for the final event in the series, just one point separating the pair.

The fleets endured hail, thunder, rain, sunshine and large changes in the wind, depending what was falling out of the sky at the time.

Mike Bennett is close to winning IRC 2 after another win in his J109 Waverider.Vincent Hayter in Highland Spirit, also did well in the Sigma 38 class and his win advanced his cause. Edouard Wylleman, Carabistoulles 2, has

a good lead in the X-332 class

but both Russell Hodgson, X-Therapist, and Tom Peters, Reckless Rat, have poor results to discard - the Black Fleet classes will be able to discard their worst result which could drastically affect the overall standings.

On the Sportsboat course no one managed to dominate their class. Ian Gill, Offbeat, had a first and second in the Mumm 30 class to improve his overall position. Ian Atkins in Bluefin, made it three wins in a row by winning the morning race in the 1720 class but Steve McLean, STBD, finished just behind him and them went on to win in the afternoon.