‘N’ Class Fabrication (C17), driven by Ian Stirling with Alex Watson navigating, appears to be taking a ride on the back of Excalibur (C20), crewed by the French pair of Noel and Pierre-Paul Giordani during yesterday’s practice. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0632955)

TODAY’S opening race of the Guernsey World Offshore Championship will be a step into the unknown for Guernsey driver Kevin Walsh.

The host island’s sole competitor is racing in a boat that at the weekend he did not even know anything about. After a list of engine problems on his boat, Caw Blimey Too, he decided that a new one was needed in order to take part.

He found Liquid Illusion on eBay at the weekend, purchased it on Monday and it arrived in the island only yesterday morning.

This morning’s opening race of three will be the first opportunity Walsh has to try it out, which he acknowledges makes life difficult, although he retains a sense of confidence.

‘My aim for the whole event is to finish in the top five, but I will accept a top-half position in the first race because of the poor preparation.’