THE Round the Island Race is one of the most watched and photographed events on the Isle of Wight summer calendar — and we want to use some of your pictures.

The event, which started at 6.30am today (Saturday), features more than 1,200 vessels racing around the Isle of Wight.

Please either email (editor@iwcp.co.uk) or tweet (@iwcponline) your best pictures and we will endeavour to use them on this page, which will be updated with new ones during the day.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cowes. Photo: Dan WilkinsonCowes. Photo: Dan Wilkinson

Isle of Wight County Press: Cowes. Photo: Dan WilkinsonCowes. Photo: Dan Wilkinson

Isle of Wight County Press: Cowes. Photo: Dan WilkinsonCowes. Photo: Dan Wilkinson

Isle of Wight County Press: Headon Warren, near Totland. Photo: Richard EdneyHeadon Warren, near Totland. Photo: Richard Edney

Isle of Wight County Press: Racing past The Needles. Photo: Grace ArgyleRacing past The Needles. Photo: Grace Argyle

WATCH: Video of a multihull speeding past The Needles this morning by Grace Argyle.

Isle of Wight County Press: Colourful action. Photo: Paul SmithColourful action. Photo: Paul Smith

Isle of Wight County Press: Fancy dress characters walking on Appley Beach, Ryde, with the Round the Island Race as their backdrop. Photo: Rosemarie DalyFancy dress characters walking on Appley Beach, Ryde, with the Round the Island Race as their backdrop. Photo: Rosemarie Daly

Isle of Wight County Press: The start in Cowes. Photo: Vince WebbThe start in Cowes. Photo: Vince Webb

Isle of Wight County Press: Yachts rounding The Needles. Photo; Paul WyethYachts rounding The Needles. Photo; Paul Wyeth

Isle of Wight County Press: Round the Island Race winner PowerPlay in the morning mist. Photo: Kim ArgyleRound the Island Race winner PowerPlay in the morning mist. Photo: Kim Argyle

Video of some of the Round the Island racers closing in on the finish line at East Cowes. Filmed by Lucy Morgan.

Isle of Wight County Press: St Catherine's Point. Photo: Jack DownerSt Catherine's Point. Photo: Jack Downer

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor harbour. Ventnor harbour.

Isle of Wight County Press: Yachts in the mist at Brighstone this morning. Photo: Rob HaywardYachts in the mist at Brighstone this morning. Photo: Rob Hayward

Isle of Wight County Press: Ventnor seafront.Ventnor seafront.

Isle of Wight County Press: The yachts passing Bembridge. Photo: Steve ApterThe yachts passing Bembridge. Photo: Steve Apter

Isle of Wight County Press: Some of the first boats to cross the finish line at Cowes. Photo: Louise HillSome of the first boats to cross the finish line at Cowes. Photo: Louise Hill

Isle of Wight County Press: A picture of the Round the Island Race fleet this morning (Saturday). Picture by Paul Wyeth.A picture of the Round the Island Race fleet this morning (Saturday). Picture by Paul Wyeth.

Isle of Wight County Press: Pip Hare firing the starting cannons. Photo: RTIRPip Hare firing the starting cannons. Photo: RTIR

Isle of Wight County Press: The race's three biggest multihulls are now between Ryde and Sandown, with MOD70 PowerPlay past Ryde, followed by Actual and IDEC. Photo: RTIR on TwitterThe race's three biggest multihulls are now between Ryde and Sandown, with MOD70 PowerPlay past Ryde, followed by Actual and IDEC. Photo: RTIR on Twitter

Isle of Wight County Press: Scene from Freshwater Bay early this morning. Photo: Freshwater Independent LifeboatScene from Freshwater Bay early this morning. Photo: Freshwater Independent Lifeboat

Isle of Wight County Press: Cowes RNLI inshore lifeboat on patrol in Cowes harbour just after the start of the Round the Island Race. Photo: Cowes RNLICowes RNLI inshore lifeboat on patrol in Cowes harbour just after the start of the Round the Island Race. Photo: Cowes RNLI