Firefighters took to the water last week for their annual racing series.

25 crews of eight gathered in the Solent for eight races over three days for the eighth UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge and also raised more than £3,000 for charity.

Mick Stead from the Hampshire Fire Brigade skippered his crew to victory, in races which were split into a ‘passage race’ from Spit Sands Fort to Cowes via the Nab Tower on day one, five ’round-the-cans’ races on day two and two more longer races to round things off.

The money was raised by an auction for prizes including a five-day charter in Gibraltar and boxing gloves signed by heavyweight champions, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.

Next year’s event will be on Tuesday April 24 to Thursday 26. Anyone interested in participating should email info@ukfsc.org.uk.

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