Early Season 2012 gallery images The fleet rounds the first mark at Inlet White, with the leaders already on a broad reach across to West, Steve Axford’s Laser in pole position Really good close-up of Steve Axford – the sort of picture you see in the pages of ‘Yachts and Yachting’ Atmospheric shot of the eventual race winner, Jane Chadney Taken from a similar position, Mary Carter going well in her Laser 4.7 Bob Sampson and James Pollard get the gennaker pulling well in the RS200 Close-quarters competition at the back of the fleet: John Buckett’s Otter just about to be overtaken by Vicki in the Topper, with John Savage’s Solo in close attendance Jockeying before the start of the afternoon race, with the sky already looking quite dark … and now white streaks across the water, a sure sign that the wind is seriously building Now lining up for the start, under a dramatic sky And the fleet sets off across a decidedly choppy Upper Tamar, with Toby and Stephanie in the RIB keeping a close eye A few seconds later, Adam Hilton’s Solo in the foreground is in trouble with a broken tiller extension, whilst Roger heads East in the Streaker John Buckett throws in the towel and heads for the pontoon in the Otter, whilst the fleet battle their way towards Pinky