SOUTHAMPTON sailor Penny Hinds took to the waves alongside Olympic champion Paul Goodison as she helped fight cancer at the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.

The 64-year-old, who has beaten breast cancer three times, formed part of the crew on board the Challenge Breast Cancer Care charity boat.

Over £100,000 was raised for charity at last year’s race around the 55-mile Isle of Wight course.

And, with over 1,700 boats and 16,000 competitors taking part this year, the event hopes to raise £1m before 2012.

With the likes of Goodison and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson battling it out on the Solent, Hinds admitted she was thrilled to rub shoulders with Britain’s finest.

“I never dreamed I would be part of an event like this with so many famous people taking part,” she said.

Hinds went round in 8:45:40 hours.