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entertaining events you can find on land
EVENTS ON THE WATER
Every year Cowes hosts a diverse range of races and regattas for everyone to enjoy, from world class professional sailors to novices and spectators on shore. Here are just a few of the exciting events taking place in 2020.
WEEKENDS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON: COWES KEELBOAT RACING
JULY 9 – 12: RS ELITE INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX
Tim Jeffreys
At the heart of the Cowes sailing scene is its regular weekend dayboat racing. Keelboats are accessible to all, and the events combine healthy competition with a welcoming community and vibrant social scene. It’s a great way for all ages to get into racing and there are separate starts for the various classes: International Etchells; RS Elite; International Dragon; Sonar; XOD and Daring (which are only raced in Cowes). Each class has its own unique appeal and may accommodate between 2 and 4 crew. Typically, there are two types of race: the shoreline start, where crews race around the fascinating waters of the Solent in one long race lasting up to two hours; or the Committee boat start, with two races each lasting less than an hour. Races are organised by the Cowes Clubs and Classes Association (CCCA) and hosted by various yacht clubs in Cowes. The CCCA want to make sure anyone interested in keelboat racing feels able to get involved, and you can contact ccca6@btinternet.com for more information. Cowes is hosting the first international regatta for the RS Elite class out of the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) this July.
The RS Elite was introduced to Cowes when the RYS hosted the National Championships in 2012, and the local fleet has grown steadily ever since.
With an increasing worldwide presence, competitors are expected from Australia, Germany, Norway, Italy, Antigua and the USA, alongside British fleets. It’s hoped that 60 boats will line up for the start in the largest gathering of this popular keelboat to date.
Racing will be of the highest quality, with several Olympic medalists and world champions competing. In addition to close quarter racing, an equally stamina-sapping social scene is planned.
Cowes Harbour Commission and Cowes Yacht Haven will provide craning and mooring facilities, and a wealth of Island-sourced produce and prizes await entrants.
rys.org.uk
JULY 18-25: BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK
Chris Brown
British Classic Week is the UK’s premier classic yacht regatta, attracting entries from all over the world and providing a breath-taking spectacle for onlookers.
Now in its 19th year, this week-long event attracts a wide range of classic yachts of all shapes and sizes. One of the oldest yachts to have competed was the 1897 Fife Gaff Cutter Jap, winner of Panerai British Classic Week in 2012, with one of the smallest entrants being the 1964 7.4m Kroes en Zonen-designed Bermudan Sloop Blue Eagle. Among the largest, just shy of 50m LOA, is the awe-inspiring 2000 Van de Graaf-built Nathaniel G Hereschoff Schooner replica Eleonora. Spectators can enjoy this year’s fleet parading past the Royal Yacht Squadron on the morning of Sunday 19 July for the Concours d’Elegance, followed by the first race of the week starting off the Squadron line. The fleet of up to 60 timelessly gorgeous yachts will do battle in a series of extremely technical and demanding races, with both wind conditions and changeable tides testing the crews’ skills to the limits. The Solent races are absolutely unique, thanks to the historic backdrop and the exceptional technical standard of participants.
The yachts are based at Cowes Yacht Haven, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to view them up close and talk to owners. Racing is organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron, so spectators will have a grandstand view of the starts and finishes from the Squadron line.
britishclassicweek.co.uk
JULY 25-31: COWES CLASSICS WEEK
Celebrating its 13th year, Cowes Classics Week is expecting up to 160 entries racing in over 30 classes. Showcasing some of the most traditional and elegant yacht designs, entries range from Metre Boats and Classic Racing Dayboats, to Classic Yachts, Old Gaffers and Spirit of Tradition yachts. In the Dayboat classes, the XOD Class regularly attracts over 50 entries and should be the largest fleet once again, with numbers also expected to increase in the Vintage Dragon class. Shoreside, the classic theme continues on Thursday 30 July, with up to 50 cars expected in a Classic Car display on The Parade, and a fleet of Classic Powerboats berthed on Trinity Landing. Enthusiasts will have the opportunity to admire these wonderful treasures and chat to their owners.
cowesclassicsweek.org
AUGUST 8-15: COWES WEEK
CWL Martin Allen
Cowes Week is a key highlight of the British sporting summer, as one of the UK's longest running and most successful events. The regatta attracts over 100,000 visitors to Cowes, with around 8,000 competitors participating, from Olympic and world-class yachtsmen to occasional weekend sailors. Over 800 boats in up to 40 different classes race over eight days, and the diverse mixture of classic and ultra-modern yacht designs help to give this regatta its unique flavour. There’s always a vibrant shoreside atmosphere, with several themes running throughout the week to involve both competitors and visitors.
Sat 8: Sustainability Day - Raising awareness of sustainability and how we can help reduce our non-biodegradable waste.
Sun 9: Family Day - Family-friendly activities at The Parade, Cowes Yacht Haven and Northwood House, including discounted rates on a spectator boat.
Paul Wyeth
Mon 10: Charity Day - Official event charity Greig City Academy’s Scaramouche Sailing Trust gets young people from North London into the sport and will be providing various activities throughout the week.
Tue 11: Ladies Day - A celebration of women in sailing. Enter into the spirit of the day by dressing in a navy-and-white nautical theme.
Wed 12: Youth Day - All about championing the next generation in sailing.
Fri 14: Fireworks - This spectacular display returns to wow the crowds.
Paul Wyeth
On 14 and 15 from 3pm-5pm, some of the fastest boats in the world will be racing off Egypt Point as Cowes Week welcomes back SailGP, the exciting F50 catamaran circuit. Overall prize giving for all classes will take place on Friday night (14). On Saturday 15, racing will continue with the Cowes Town Regatta trophies up for grabs. For the latest information visit cowesweek.co.uk
ANNUAL MOORINGS AT COWES
HARBOUR & RIVER MOORINGS CENTRAL SOLENT LOCATION . PONTOON, PILE & SWINGING MOORINGS
THE HOME OF WORLD YACHTING
ANNUAL BERTHS AT THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS SAILING DESTINATION
SAFE & SHELTERED MOORINGS DAILY SAFETY & SECURITY CHECKS . HARBOUR WATER TAXI SERVICE
Cowes Week Shoreside
Daily, there are plenty of exciting onshore activities and a very lively après-sail atmosphere. A fantastic range of pubs, cafés, restaurants and yacht clubs all welcome competitors and visitors to Cowes. Visitors can also book online to enjoy up close racing action from a Spectator Boat. Additionally, pop-up venues, bars, retailers and stage at Cowes Yacht Haven, bars and entertainment, Northwood Park Lawn Lounge and the busy Cowes Parade with its Spinnaker Bar and live entertainment mean there really is something for everyone.
cowesweek.co.uk
AUGUST 14-15: COWES SAIL GP, SEASON 2
SailGP
The record-breaking SailGP returns for a second season as a feature event of Cowes Week. SailGP will once again bring nail-biting action to the Solent as the world’s fastest sail racing boats go head-to-head just metres from the shore off Egypt Point. In 2019, over 24,000 spectators turned out to witness the USA SailGP Team capsize and the Australians break the elusive 50-knot speed barrier during racing, before going on to win Season 1. With an additional F50 on the start line for Season 2, competition is sure to heat up. Leading athletes from Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, Spain and the United States are all pushing for victory, and the US$1 million end of season prize.
The home team - now skippered by Sir Ben Ainslie, the most decorated Olympic sailor of all time – is hoping to make the nation proud following last year’s heart-breaking nosedive that ended their event early. Season 2 of Cowes SailGP promises to deliver another incredible show that will include a ticketed spectator area at Egypt Point and increased hospitality opportunities.
SailGP.com
AUGUST 23-26: GOODALL ROOFING SONATA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
SailGP
After a gap of 18 years, the hugely popular 23ft Hunter Sonata Class will return to Cowes for the 44th National Championship, hosted by the Island Sailing Club (ISC). In recent years Cowes has seen a resurgence in this popular One Design Class, with the local fleet growing to eight boats, and five boats regularly competing in the ISC Tuesday night series. The Nationals will take place just two weeks after Cowes Week, allowing visiting teams to take advantage of both events. Event organiser Chris Halewood says, “We’d like to extend our thanks to Goodall Roofing who have committed their support, helping us deliver a truly great event for the class. I look forward to welcoming many teams from all over the country to the Solent.”
islandsc.org.uk
AUGUST 28-30: COWES POWERBOAT RACES
2020 marks the 60th anniversary of Offshore Powerboat Racing from Cowes. The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes and Cowes-Poole-Cowes Offshore Powerboat Races are a must for all powerboat fans. The legendary 200-mile Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race returns to a format that includes the popular 'pit stop' at Haldon Pier, Torquay. Teams from around the globe will line up across the Royal Yacht Squadron start, to create a huge spectacle of modern and historic race boats.
Offshore Classes 1 and 2 will again be supported by a strong contingent of Class 3 and 4 teams, who will race in the popular Cowes-Poole-Cowes race.
cowestorquaycowes.co.uk
OTHER RACING: Cowes’ packed racing calendar also includes the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s International Invitational Coronation Cup from 2-4 May, the Etchells European Championship hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron from 3-5 July and the J/111 World Championship from Royal Ocean Racing Club from 30 August-5 September. A number of offshore single and double handed races will start from Cowes and head across the channel to France, run by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the Junior Offshore Group (JOG) and the Solo Offshore Racing Club (SORC).
SEPTEMBER 4 – 6: COWES SPRING CLASSICS
This regatta, for wooden classics designed before 1970, includes: Cruisers and Cruiser racers; Gaff Rigged yachts and Pilot Cutters; Day Boats and Raters; Classic Metre yachts; affordable Classic Cruisers and modern Spirit of Tradition yachts.
Last year the fleet included the overall winner, Fife-designed 7.48m Sloop Intombi, with the oldest boat being 1885 Essex Oyster Smack Alberta and the newest, the Golant Gaffer Satellite - built in 2018.
A strong and diverse 2020 fleet will include Vigilant, the only competitive 22 Square Metre Class Racer made in the UK, designed and built by legendary sailor Uffa Fox in the 1930s.
Based at Shepards Marina, the racing is organised by Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club in classes using either IRC or OGA handicaps. With a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the regatta’s social side and appreciation of the history of the competing yachts is as important as the racing.
cowesspringclassics.com
SEPTEMBER 26: ROUND THE ISLAND RACE
Paul Wyeth
The Round the Island Race is well known as one of the world’s largest and most famous yacht races. Established in 1931, it now regularly attracts in excess of 1,500 yachts and upwards of 12,000 competitors. This iconic race, organised by the Island Sailing Club (ISC), allows families and friends to compete against some of the world's best professional sailors. The 50 nautical mile race will again be supporting official charity the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Entries range from dayboats and cruising yachts to 100ft superyachts and record-breaking multihulls, and the coveted I.R.C. rated Gold Roman Bowl doesn’t necessarily go to the fastest or most expensive yacht, but is decided on handicap. Uniquely, the ISC has its own free rating system (ISCRS) for competitors who don't have an IRC one, and running true to the original aspirations of the club, small boats
finishing well into the evening often carry off the top prizes.
New for this year The Windeler Trophy, named after the race founder, is being offered for smaller dayboats unable to round The Needles. This will follow a diamond course around the Western Solent. The Official Race Village on The Parade will present an entertainment programme from noon on Tuesday 29 September. The Race begins and ends in Cowes, please check the website for revised start times and finish line closing. Whether following the race from shore or at home, GPS tracking and regular social media updates will ensure you’re kept up to date with all the race progress.
Cowes Classic Boat Museum Experience the Best of Marine History
www.classicboatmuseum.com
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