The growing stature of the races has attracted a new sponsor - Tyco Healthcare UK and a record entry, reports Hamble River Sailing Club's commodore Roger Pritchard.

Already over 220 entries have been received for the 14 classes we have this year," said Roger.

The first of our eight Sunday's of racing on October 13th proved to be a real test of yachts and crews as bad weather swept in across the Solent earlier than forecasted. There were loads of broaches, particularly on the longer spinnaker runs as the wind built up to a force seven."

In the black fleet, for bigger yachts, the largest number of entries was in IRC Class 1.

Provisional results:

First - Exabyte, an IMX 40 owned by S Frothlich

Second - J Perry's Firestorm, a Prima 38

Third - J MacGregor's Flair, an Elan 40

In the white fleet, for sports boats, there was a huge entry in the Hunter 707 class.

Provisional results:

First - J Ross in Blacksheep (7038)

Second - M Gillett in Pocket Battleship (7105)

Third - G Craigen with Swallow (7069)