Amongst the fleet of 17 SB3s entered so far are three boats racing with a selection of Volvo Youth Squad sailors on board as part of their training for the 2010 Volvo ISAF Youth World Championships taking place in Istanbul in July.

Mike Wood, Sam Batten, Sophie McKeeman make up the crew on board SB3 Volvo RYA Youth Team 1 along with their coach Duncan Truswell, the RYA’s Youth Racing Manager. Joanna Freeman, Cameron Douglas, Hugh Brayshaw make up Team 2 with Coach Ben Oakley who is on the RYA selection panel for the Youth Squad. Henry Lloyd-Williams, Sam Sills and Hannah Mitchell are crewing in Team 3 alongside Roy McCubbin, the RYA’s Double-handed Pathway Manager.

Last year’s Raymarine Round the Island Young Sailor Trophy winner on his First 21.7 ‘Pocket Rocket’, was Matt Ponsford from Chichester, who is now 17. He’s back this year racing on his new Dufour 325 Grand’ Large named Inspiration.

She was only launched in April in Ipswich and Matt has recently sailed her to her home berth in Chichester.

X-Yacht Exhilarance from Hamble will be skippered by Pip Lucas who has completed 15 Round the Island Races. Pip will be joined by pupils from the lower sixth and fourth forms at Churcher’s College in Petersfield, none of whom have any previous race experience. They have been enjoying a few days’ training in the Solent and according to Sarah Kennedy, school spokesperson, “the students are really enjoying it but I find it hilarious that they fall asleep in the minibus on the way back to school.”