As was the case in the J-Class regatta at Lymington, Endeavour is proving that she is queen of the Js, finishing half an hour ahead of Velsheda. It was a turn around for the books to see Shamrock V storming past Velsheda, and putting some serious pressure on Endeavour’s lead. Shamrock V crossed the line less than eight minutes behind her younger sister, and on corrected time that works out as less than three minutes behind Endeavour and nearly half an hour ahead of Velsheda. Unfortunately, the 23-Metre classic, Cambria, retired.

In the Classic division, the varnished cruiser with rod-rigging, Drumbeat, finished at the back of her fleet, losing out to Crusade of Dee and Germania VI.

Mari Cha III recovered her costly hiccup this morning when she blew-out her genoa shortly after the start to take a conclusive first across the line in her class. However, on corrected time she stands second, behind John McCaw’s Extra Beat.

Bear of Britain, Kit Hobday’s Far 52, took overall first in the IRC Modern Division 2, ahead of Serano and Peter Harrison’s Chernikeef 2. Stealth, the first monohull to finish the Fastnet, was first across the finishing line, but ended up eleventh on corrected time.

The IRC Modern Division 3 has some familiar names crowding the top positions. Team Tonic, Kirribilli and Desperado, to list but a few, are following their success at Cowes Week with another run of good results.

The latest news is that today’s 12-Metre race that was cancelled will run after Race 3 on Wednesday, weather permitting. La Folie Des Grinders, a 28-metre yacht racing in the modern IRC class, skippered by Pascal Herold, is aground on Hampsted Ledge. The tide still has several hours to fall, so it will be a long wait before they can be re-floated.

Two boats were dismasted, including Island Fling. Paul Winkelmann’s Swan 60, formerly Highland Fling, her name a regular feature of event entry lists, with a good past record and a well-rated participant in the recent Swan worlds, has sadly withdrawn from the event to effect repairs.

Ranger, a 1938-built 18.3 metre yacht, and an entry in the Vintage class, lost steerage and was towed back to Cowes by lifeboat. Lastly, Blue Leopard, Nick Davies’ 33-metre yacht lost her mizzen after a collision with another boat. It is unlikely that she will be able to step a new mast in time for tomorrow.

The outlook for tomorrow sees a high-pressure system moving into the area, which at the very least gives us hope for less winds and the chance that the 12-Metres and modern America’s Cup Class boats will be doing battle tomorrow.

Tonight Ellen MacAthur is the guest of honour at the prize-giving ceremony, whilst tomorrow morning, the past eleven winning America’s Cup skippers will pay a visit to Cowes before racing begins at 1030.