Maiden II took the honours in the Isle of Wight Round the Island race, but the crew had to do it without skipper Tracy Edwards.

Edwards, who led the crew to their recent 24-hour distance record, had to pull out of the event last night when her daughter became ill.

But the boat was still the quickest around the 50 mile course, finishing in a time of three hours, 21 minutes and 16 seconds.

It was just 13 minutes outside the record time but wind conditions on the first leg meant that the record attempt was never on the cards

"We didn't have the right weather conditions today to break the record, as 110ft catamarans are not designed for short tacks up the Solent," admitted co-skipper Helena Darvelid.

"We'll have to come back and break the world record when the conditions are more suitable."

Vendee Globe runner-up Ellen MacArthur was another competitor with her yacht Kingfisher.