A LEOMINSTER sailor and his crew will be among 1,600 others competing in one of Britain's largest participation sporting events this year.

Skipper Stuart Austin and his five-strong crew of Top Secret will join some 16,000 sailors for the JP Morgan Asset Management 'Round the Island' race, on Saturday, July 2.

Austin is the director of ProMarine Finance and members of Hereford Sailing Club will make up his crew, along with his old school friends.

The team has previously completed the Fastnet Race.

"We are all middle-aged and have come into sailing quite late, but as they say, better late than never," said Austin.

"We are really cruisers but we are looking forward to the race and we will try to be competitive."

In preparation for the Round the Island race, the team completed the RWYC Triangle Race in May, their first on Top Secret.

"The start of the Round the Island race is my biggest concern, negotiating a tightly congested start line really keeps everyone on their toes," he added.

"We are better known for our partying skills so we will have to keep the crew in check until after this iconic race."

The famous 50 nautical-mile course around the Isle of Wight is now in its 85th year and is organised by the Island Sailing Club.