Owing to the tide on Race Day (19 June), this year sees an early start of 05:00 for the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. And the firer of the five o'clock cannon will be none other than Round the Island Race veteran Dame Ellen MacArthur. Ellen will then be joining one of the four Ellen MacArthur Trust boats entered in the Race with the crews made up of young people recovering from cancer and leukemia.

Ellen follows in the foot steps of previous starters Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, double Olympic sailing medallists' Shirley Robertson OBE & Sarah Webb OBE and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh - during his time as the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight.

Read the full story here: http://www.yachtingworld.com/news/452737/dame-ellen-to-start-race