The windsurfers are glad they brought their own equipment. Boards and rigs are provided for competition, but with the best wind of the week blowing this morning and official practice not starting until this afternoon, the boys have gone off for an early session at Ventnor.

Hopefully they will have time to look round and see the leaders of the round the island yacht race flying past at high speed. With nearly 2,000 boats and 16,000 sailors, this is possibly the world’s biggest sailing race.