A COMPANY director from St Neots is celebrating after leading his crew to victory in the Isle of Wight Round The Island race. Steve Pearson, 42, only took up sailing two years ago after catching the bug on a corporate trip to Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

A COMPANY director from St Neots is celebrating after leading his crew to victory in the Isle of Wight 'Round The Island' race.

Steve Pearson, 42, only took up sailing two years ago after catching the bug on a corporate trip to Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Steve, who is commercial director of Rushlex Ltd, a Paxton Hill-based firm which works in the construction industry, told The Hunts Post: "We were just hoping to get round so when we won our class we were absolutely gobsmacked."

Steve and his crew successfully manoeuvred their refurbished boat Min-O-Din around the island in a time of eight hours, 25 minutes and 28 seconds.

The boat, a former winner at Cowes week, was purchased by Steve's company having spent the last two years on the mudflats in Poole Harbour.

The vessel was only handed over to the crew one week before the June 28 race took place.

While the Min-O-Din - the name Swedish for 'mine and yours' - encountered few problems en-route, the more expensive vessel on which Formula One star Lewis Hamilton was sailing sustained damage in a collision.

Min-O-Din recorded the fastest time of more than 60 yachts in its class - Division 8A, the boats deemed to have the highest handicap.

Steve, who has lived in St Neots for 10 years, said: "He might be number one on the track but maybe he is not so hot on the waves.

"We thoroughly enjoyed it and will be back next year - but first we will be taking on Cowes week next month."

INFORMATION: See www.roundtheisland.org.uk