'Champagne' sailing and good weather promised for Cowes Week

Although this year's event, which is underway today (Saturday), will not feature some of the traditional crowd-pleasers, such as the grand fireworks or Red Arrows displays, there will still be oceans of fun for sailing enthusiasts and families alike in Cowes.  

The world's longest running sailing regatta — cancelled last year due to Covid — has a packed programme of racing on The Solent.

The first racing of Cowes Week starts at 11am this morning.

The weather outlook for Cowes Week looks promising, according to event meteorologist, Fiona Campbell, who will be providing two updates daily.

Photo: Paul Wyeth

"The long range weather outlook for Cowes Week shows no sign of stifling heat from high pressure, or strong storms," she said.

"The prevailing wind will be the one we know and love so well on the Solent, with plenty of 'champagne' sailing.”

One of the biggest changes this year is there will be more starts and finishes from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, making for more exciting racing for competitors and spectators alike, say organisers, Cowes Week Ltd.

A completely new class to Cowes Week this year is the Club Cruiser Division, which will have its own start and attract competitors with a new trophy sponsored by The Cruising Association.

There will also be a further three starts in the Performance Cruiser Division.  

The biggest fleet of Sonar one designs for more than a decade will gather for the UK Sonar National Championship, being run as part of the regatta.

Entries are still being accepted from club teams for the Cuvée 450 Solent Team Trophy. Teams must be made up of at least one boat from White Group and one from Black Group.

The winning team will receive a magnum of Cuvée 450 for each skipper.  The Royal Yacht Squadron has entered a very strong team, made up of Adam Gosling’s Yes! David Franks Leon and Jonathan Calacione's Calypso.

This year also sees the first-ever opening party for competitors, sponsored by Cuvée 450, which will be held at Cowes Yacht Haven today.

Competitors will be able to enjoy free bubbly, while catching up with old and new friends after the first day’s racing.

A great addition for competitors this year are the Musto Morning Briefings at 9.30am each day, with regatta director Laurence Mead, including weather updates from Fiona, supported by members of the British Sailing Team and well-known sailors, who will be sharing their insight and experience into tactical plans for the day. 

The briefings wil be broadcast live, then available to view via the website and the Cowes Week app, Cowes Live, which is available to all, with competitors getting their own personal guide to the regatta, both ashore and afloat, including course data for crews.  

A version of the app is also available to visitors and to remote spectators, which will bring them closer to the action and keep them updated with everything happening at the regatta — including all of the live starts, as they happen, from the Royal Yacht Squadron. 

The Cowes Week app, available in versions for competitors and spectators.

New for this year are daily prizegiving ceremonies (for the previous day's racing), which will take place daily at 5pm on Cowes Parade.

The overall prizegiving takes place on Friday at Cowes Yacht Haven, with magnums of Cuvée 450 for all class winners and special moments caught on camera.

Shoreside, there is still plenty to see and do at the various venues around town throughout the week with entertainment and bars on The Parade, Cowes Yacht Haven, Shepard's Marina and at Northwood House.

Further information on the entertainment schedule can be found on the website http://www.cowesweek.co.uk or in the Cowes Week app.