Early start: The first IRC boats set sail as the sun rises over the Solent

Starting Sequence: It takes an hour and forty minutes to get the entire fleet of 1,600 boats safely underway

Under spinnaker: The boats stream out of the Solent on the first leg of the 50nm course

A race for all: Olympic class sailors compete in this unique race...

A race for all: ...alongside many family crewed boats...

A race for all: ...in all variety of crafts, ancient and modern

The Needles: The 1,600-strong fleet round the famous Needles rocks

Half way: St Catherine's Lighthouse on the southernmost tip of the Isle of Wight marks the half way point

Back of the Wight: The huge fleet makes a spectacular sight, sailing across Sandown Bay...

Bembridge: ...before rounding Bembridge Ledge...

Past The Forts: ...and on to the final leg towards the finish line