VOR: Portsmouth in port blow by blow

In Port race day dawns with a cloudy sky, but a good 12 knots of north to northeasterly wind with substantial gusts under the clouds. It’s not warm by any description.
At Gunwharf Quays the boats have gone through a moving blessing where Hans Horreovets was remembered by all present, and are now starting on their way to the race muster area. It looks as though the likely course will be staring somewhere south east of the Nab Tower, heading to a windward mark close to New Grounds buoy some five miles south of Hayling Island, seven miles south east of Portsmouth harbour entrance.