Sailing's 2024 RORC Easter Challenge got underway in ‘sporty’ conditions on Good Friday, off the home of Isle of Wight sailing, Cowes. 

The first European fixture of the Royal Ocean Racing Club 2024 programme, which ran across the Easter weekend, between March 29 and 31, is billed as a training regatta.

Rules on outside assistance are relaxed, allowing top coaches to aid competitors in kick starting their season.

Courses tested boat handling and the ability to judge lay lines in a building cross-tide.

After racing, a video debrief was held at the Royal Yacht Squadron Pavilion.

Isle of Wight County Press: Off the water, there is an Easter egg toss!Off the water, there is an Easter egg toss! (Image: Paul Wyeth)

On Easter Sunday, RORC Vice Commodore, Richard Palmer welcomed teams to prizegiving and started the customary Easter Egg Toss.

Among those on the water were double Olympic medallist, winning skipper of the Volvo Ocean Race and former coach to the Isle of Wight's Olympic sailor, Shirley Robertson, Ian Walker.

The North Sails MD, who was in a coaching role, said conditions were tough 'for teams that are just getting the boats and themselves back on the water.

"However, teams that got out there have made progress, not just for this regatta but for the season ahead,” he added.