The Isle of Wight is in the middle.
I've done this a few times but the best was when we went on my friend's yacht "Restless Too".
Had an evening on the Tanqueray and tonic, then we got down to the business of plotting strategy, till about 4 am.
Wind direction, tide height, wave height and likely swirls. Plus a bit more, like atmospheric pressure etc.
Off we go and calculations are spot on. We approach the Needles and decide to go over the rocks, inside the lighthouse.
(You are strictly not allowed to do this now.)
Result! One of the great bits was following "Onslow" (Geoffrey Hughes) no longer with us. He used to live nearby. He was lounging in the back of the cockpit with (several) cans of lager whilst in his trademark string vest.
I've forgotten where we finished but it was in the top 90 which is good with over 1000 yachts racing.
Not going this year. I'll miss it.