The 10th Marine Industry Regatta was recently hosted at Sunsail in Port Solent on the UK's south coast. The event encourages the UK marine industry to compete at a relaxed and friendly race day plus raise important funds for the John Merricks Sailing Trust, an inspiring charity that sponsors talented young sailors who require financial backing to compete.

Over £1,000 was raised for the trust and a great day was had by all! Aboard the brand new, smart looking Sunsail F40s, this year's Barton and Navimo joint team crew comprised of skipper David Barrow, tactician Christian Brewer, navigator Mark Parkin, mastman Paul Botterill, Howard Stocker, Paul White and Matt Burt in the cockpit, Dan Couchman bowman, Tim Jefferson (new to sailing) at the foredeck, Saltwater's Louise Read and Nicola Marlow (also new to sailing) at the control lines.

Racing eventually got underway after a postponement in a light and shifty 3 knot breeze from the east. Team Barton/Navimo had lined up for a perfect start at the committee boat end but were called OCS and had to return to start again, putting us last. A good move to the right side of the course saw our team make up five places but this was not enough to catch the Inland Waterways team who finished first on the second leg of the shortened course.

The race officer was forced to delay until early afternoon for the wind to settle and a second start saw the fleet line up against a strong Northerly current. Unfortunately no progress could be made to safely clear the line so the start to this race was also postponed and a final end to the sailing was called, with the overall winners taken from the first race.

Hope you're all enjoying the race season.