Tight at the start and a quick dip down the line to prevent us being over as the gun went, not so good for Alchemist who were half a boat length over.  Decent leg down the Solent with sheets eased and the usual bigger boats passing us before we got to the forts.  Held off going for the kite until we were half way to Bembridge so we could get a better angle past the buoy.  Started off really well with some good surfing conditions touching 10 knots on occasion.  Could have been a fast crossing but the wind died in the afternoon and spent about four hours with very little wind until it filled in again.  Good run into the finish with the new wind and quite surprised to see Raffles appear behind us when we were about 12 miles off the finish.  Dropped the kite for the last 8 miles as it was getting too tight and finished just behind Raffles but we did not know when Xara had got in so nice surprise to get first.