Round the Island Race: Strong winds hamper small boats

French trimaran, Actual was first across the finish line in just over three hours

Strong winds forced organisers of the Round the Island Race to pull more than 70 competitors out of the race.

The Island Sailing Club said vessels in the smaller classes at the Isle of Wight event were retired before the start due to increasing winds.

Another 30 teams pulled out early due to the tough sailing conditions on the 50 nautical-mile course.

The RNLI had to rescue a crew after their small multihull capsized on the north west of the island.

The annual race sees about 1,600 boats compete in a westerly direction around the Isle of Wight.

First across the finish line at Cowes was French trimaran, Actual.

The boat completed the course just over one minute outside the overall record, finishing in 3hrs 09mins and 57secs.