Young sailors set to finish Channel race

Young sailors onboard 13 yachts are due to finish a race across the English Channel.

The event is part of celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the RNLI and involves 130 young people.

They set off from Guernsey on Tuesday and are set to arrive in Poole Harbour in Dorset at about 13:00 BST.

Organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) the boats range in size from 38-98ft (12-30m).

At least half the crew on each boat are aged 25 or under, organisers said.

The race, that will have taken two days to complete, departed from St Peter Port at 10:00 on Tuesday, four hours earlier than scheduled.

A spokesperson said that was "due to the winds dropping both today and in the forecast, meaning the crossing would take longer".

The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is the patron for ASTO, visited Guernsey on Monday to meet some of those taking part in the race.

Kerry McMillan, ASTO's chief executive, said: "This race was inspired by the RNLI's 200th anniversary with the aim of raising awareness of the impact on, and value to, young people of sail training and adventure afloat generally."

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