Entries have opened for the 2024 edition of the world’s longest-running regatta and one of the best-known events in the global sailing calendar, Cowes Week.
This year, the team hope to welcome around 500 boats racing in up to 36 different classes, and organisers have their sights set on even greater participation over the next couple of years leading up to the 200th-anniversary event in 2026.
Super early bird entries are available until Sunday, February 11, with early bird entry until Sunday, April 28, standard entry until Sunday, July 14, and last-minute entries can still be made right up to the eve of the regatta.
Competing boats range from family-owned and crewed day boats to professionally crewed sleek Class Zero big boats.
This unique event sees boats of all types competing for some of the world’s most prestigious sailing silverware over a week’s worth of races, either by cannon at the Royal Yacht Squadron start line or from a committee vessel elsewhere in the Solent.
Bob Trimble, Chairman of Cowes Combined Clubs, said: "A huge number of moving parts go into organising such a major regatta: The clubs, the marinas, the Harbour Authority, the volunteer race officials, the shops, hostelries and accommodation providers, the Town and Island Councils, and many more.
“We all pull together with the aim of providing the best possible racing on the water and the best welcome ashore for competitors and visitors alike."
Racing starts on Saturday, July 27, and the event culminates with an overall prize-giving on Friday, August 2.
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