Cowes Week Ltd, the organisers of Lendy Cowes Week, have announced the introduction of a new Double-handed class at this year’s event.

Following the recent popularity of both inshore and offshore Double-handed racing, Cowes Week organisers have decided to introduce this class to the world’s renowned regatta.
Entries are invited for boats with IRC ratings between 0.900 to 1.085.

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Sailor Rupert Holmes shares his top tips for an enjoyable and successful Cowes Week

Racing will be held as part of the Black Group and courses will be about 3.5 hours long with an interesting range of wind angles, but with fewer legs than for the standard IRC classes.
The class will have its own start every day and, if in the future there is an increasingly high demand in participating in Double-handed racing, the organisers will look into the possibility of offering two class starts, thus allowing a wider range of craft to compete, including smaller boats.

Lendy Cowes Week Regatta Director Laurence Mead said: “We are very happy to open up this new class to Lendy Cowes Week as it reflects a growing part of the sport and at CWL we want to offer the racing that sailors want.  For some classes that is a bit more of a bias to windward/leeward courses and for others a more ’round the cans’ structure.  Welcoming the Double-handed boats is a natural evolution of the week and we look forward to seeing them on the water and at the social events which form such an important part of the Lendy Cowes Week experience.”

Entries can be made online through the Lendy Cowes Week website.  

The post Lendy Cowes Week: Organisers introduce Double-handed sailing class appeared first on YBW.

05 August

Whooper has been named as the overall winner in the Black Group and the overall winner of Lendy Cowes Week.

The 38-foot Laurent Giles is owned by Giovanni Belgrano.

The overall winner among the White Group dayboats was named as Freddie Peters’ Riff Raff.

Peters, who is just 14, won the RS Elite class, as well as the Newcomers’ trophy and Young Skippers Trophy.

Riff Raff skipper, Freddie Peters. Credit: Paul Wyeth

“I think I can put our win down to a combination of things,” said Peters. “Getting a good start was crucial, and knowing where we were going on the course. Thanks to Ellie and Emily who did a fantastic job, we always knew where we were going. The other thing, of course, was boat speed.

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How to follow Lendy Cowes Week 2017: All you need to know about the longest running regatta in the world

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Peters’ Riff Raff won all but one race in the RS Elite class. Ossie Stewart’s More T Vicar took second overall and Colin Smith’s Shaken Not Stirred third.

Lendy Cowes Week Overall Results

Black Group Overall:

1. Giovanni Belgrano’s Laurent Giles Whooper
2. Bernard Langley’s TP52 Gladiator
3. Harry J Heijst’s Sparkman & Stephens 41 Winsome

White Group Overall:

1. Freddie Peters’ Riff Raff
2. I. Andrew, R. Bullock, J. Lear & J. Tremlett’s Lass
3. John Corby’s Doublet

Sevenstar Triple Crown Overall:

1. Igor Yakunin’s Ker 46 Lady Mariposa R
2. Ludde Ingvall and Sir Michael Hintze’s CQS
3. Pierre Meisel’s Team Jolokia

The Westmacott Trophy:

1. I. Andrew, R. Bullock, J. Lear & J. Tremlett’s Lass
2. Malcolm Stewart’s Isabel
3. Noel Dobbs’ Bluebell

Under 25 Trophy:

1. Ed Nainby-Luxmoore, Eric Ledbetter & Charles Nainby-Luxmoore’s Snow Goose II
2. Ollie Smyth, James Stupple, Hugo Sloper, Toby Hodge’s Joey
3. Oli Aldridge’s Sumo

Ed Whelan Celebration Trophy:

1. James Gair’s Zero II – Cowes Race School
2. ‘Quokkatoo Syndicate’ Performance Yacht Racing’s Pyr Jua Kali
3. Yuri Fadeev’s Kabestan Skylander

Young Skippers Trophy:

1. Freddie Peters’ Riff Raff
2. Ed Nainby-Luxmoore, Eric Ledbetter & Charles Nainby-Luxmoore’s Snow Goose II
3. Hugo Mills’ Sheen

Newcomers’ Trophy:

1. Freddie Peters’ Riff Raff
2. Piero Paniccia’s Adriatica
3. Elliott Noye’s Porco Rosso

Commodores’ Challenge Cup:

1. Andrew McIrvine’s La Reponse
2. Michael Greville’s Erivale III
3. Joe Simmons’ Spectrum

03 August

Strong winds, with gusts up to 35 knots, meant only the largest yachts taking part in Lendy Cowes Week were able to get out and race.

Organisers decided to cancel all races apart from the Maxi Racer, Ocean Racer and IRC Class 0 classes in the final Sevenstar Triple Crown event.

Sevenstar Triple Crown Overall Winners, Lady Mariposa. Credit: Paul Wyeth

In the end, only seven of the 16 IRC Class 0 competitors decided to tackle the course.

Although Igor Yakunin’s Ker 46 Lady Mariposa R suffered a structural failure just 200 metes from the finish line leaving them third after corrected time, it didn’t stop them securing the overall Sevenstar Triple Crown win.

The team also took the Duke of Edinburgh Triple Crown Trophy and the Royal Yacht Squadron’s King’s Cup 1920 for winning the Zero-Racer class.

Team Jolokia won the King George V International Cup from the Royal Thames Yacht Club, while Ludde Ingvall and Sir Michael Hintze’s 100ft super maxi CQS won the Royal Southampton Yacht Club’s Queens Cup.

Pictures of the Week: Cowes Week special edition

The Volvo Ocean 65 Mapfre also won a special trophy in recognition of setting a new outright Around Isle of Wight world record by a monohull yacht.

Race Day 6 

Triple Crown Maxi Racers:

1. CQS

Triple Crown Ocean Racers:

1. Pierre Meisel’s Team Jolokia

IRC Class 0:

1. Tony Langley’s TP52 Gladiator
2. Christian Zugel’s MAT1180 Tschuss
3. Igor Yakunin’s Ker 46 Lady Mariposa R

02 August

There was thrilling sailing on day 5 of Lendy Cowes Week, with the crowds thoroughly entertained by the fast and furious action.

There was also much excitement in the Sevenstar Triple Crown, which saw 23 of the largest yachts taking part in the regatta racing around the Isle of Wight.

The competitors included seven entries in the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race and Ludde Ingvall and Sir Michael Hintze’s 100ft foiling supermaxi CQS, which had former model and racing driver Jodie Kidd on board.

Jodie Kidd on board the 100ft foiling supermaxi CQS. Credit: Sportography tv

“It was amazing, tough conditions and we had some issues, which was a bit of a shame.” said Kidd following the race.

“It was an unbelievable experience – we were given quite a rough ride round the back of the Island and I felt I was part of the team on the rail,” she added.

CQS. Credit: Tom Gruitt

The Spanish Volvo Ocean Race yacht Mapfre completed the 50-mile course in 3 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds, setting a new outright Around Isle of Wight world record by a monohull yacht.

This beat the previous record set in 2013 by Mike Slade’s 100ft ICAP Leopard by 6 minutes 58 seconds.

Unlike the Volvo Ocean 65s, ICAP Leopard has powered winches.

Mapfre therefore also beat the previous world record for a monohull without power assistance by an impressive margin of more than 36 minutes. Both records are subject to ratification by the World Speed Sailing Record Council.

Mapfre in action. Credit: Tom Gruitt

“We did a very good start and the manoeuvres were all very good – it’s one of our strongest points we have as a crew,” said Mapfre skipper Xabi Fernandez.

“A lot of us have sailed together already and the new people are all good, very switched on, and things are coming together nicely.”

With winds gusting to 40 knots on the south side of the Isle of Wight, the other Volvo Ocean Race boats taking part – Team Brunel, Team Akzonobel and Dongfeng Race Team – also beat the previous record times.

Organisers have decided to call off all racing for 3 August due to the weather, apart from the Maxi Racer, Ocean Racer and IRC Class 0 classes in the Sevenstar Triple Crown event, which will be contesting the third and final day of the series.

Winds are expected to average at around 22-28-knots, with gusts likely to reach 33-35 knots.

Race Day 5

Triple Crown Maxi Racers:

1. CQS

Triple Crown Ocean Racers:

1. Pierre Meisel’s Team Jolokia
2. Mapfre
3. Team Brunel

White Group:

Etchells:

1. Rob Elliot’s Bon Vivant
2. Shaun and Emily Frohlich’s Exabyte
3. Murray Chapples’ Silver Lining

Daring:

1. John Corby’s Doublet
2. David Gower, Jamie Clark and Peter Haworth’s Dolphin
3. Andrew Norton’s Decoy

Daring fleet. Credit: Paul Wyeth

Black Group:

Sigma 33:

1. Allan Fraser’s Prospero of Hamble
2. Jeff Worboys’ Workout
3. Toby Gorman’s Stan the Boat

IRC Class 4:

1. David Franks’ JPK 10.10 Strait Dealer
2. Oliver Legrain’s Archambault 35 IBA Sailing Team
3. Peter and Sarah Hodgkinson’s X362 Sport Xcitable

IRC Class 5:

1. Harry Heijst’s Sparkman and Stephens 41 Winsome
2. Jean-Francois Nouel’s Sunfast 3200 SNSP Hakuna Matata
3. Mike Sellers & Chris Miles’ High Jinks

Current rankings for the Under 25 trophy:

1. Freddie Peters’ RS Elite Riff Raff
2. Hugo Mills’ Mermaid Sheen
3. Ollie Smyth’s Sonata Joey

01 August

Land Rover BAR Academy’s Annabel Vose has been announced the winner of the ELEMIS Ladies Day Trophy at Lendy Cowes Week.

The trophy recognises the outstanding contribution, commitment, or achievement of women in sailing.

Vose is the only woman in the Land Rover BAR Academy, which won the 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

Meanwhile, Amanda Marino, racing her Half Tonner Chimp in IRC Class 6, won the Royal Southern Yacht Club’s Ariel Trophy, which is awarded for the best result obtained by a female helm.

Meanwhile, the sailors enjoyed more bright and sunny weather, with classic south-westerly breeze.

Race Day 4

Black Group:

IRC Class 0:

1. Bernard Langley’s Gladiator
2. Igor Yakunin’s Lady Mariposa R
3. Christian Zugel’s Tschuss

IRC Class 1:

1. Sam Cox’s King 40 Nifty
2. James Gair’s Mills 39 Zero ll – Cowes Race School
3. Mike Greville’s Ker 39 Erivale lll

IRC Class 2:

1. Andrew McIrvine’s First 40 La Reponse
2. Alex and Andy Moore’s First 40 Tilt
3. David Rolfe’s First 40 Shadowfax

IRC Class 3:

1. Adam Gosling’s JPK10.80 Yes!
2. Chris Ivill’s new J/112E Davanti Tyres
3. Igor Rytov’s Russian JPK 1080 Bogatyr

The crew of Davanti Tyres. Credit: Paul Wyeth/CWL

White Group:

RS Elite:

1. Freddie Peters Riff Raff
2. Colin Smith’s Shaken Not Stirred
3. Ossie Stewart’s More T Vicar

Sonar:

1. Alastair Barter’s Bertie
2. Barry Byham’s Dolphin
3. Andy Cassell’s Jenny

Flying 15:

1. Charles Apthorp’s Foof
2. Will Heritage’s Freddie Flintoff
3. Tony Beddingfield’s Durban Flyer

Squib:

1. Steve Warren-Smith and Stu Rix’s Aquabat
2. David Wines and Keith Davies’ White Magic
3. Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey’s Lady Penelope

Wizard taking part in the Squib race. Credit: Paul Wyeth/CWL

SB20 Grand Slam:

1. John Pollard’s Xcellent
2. Elliot Noye’s Porco Rosso
3. Michael Cooper’s Export Roo

J/70 Series (Results subject to protests):

1. Paul Childs’ F’in Magic 2
2. Ali Hall’s Sceptre
3. Jack Davies’ Yeti

31 July

Day three of Lendy Cowes Week delivered yet more racing in blazing sun and a perfect south westerly breeze of 12-16 knots that gradually built to a peak of 20 knots by the end of the afternoon. It was a day of intensely close racing for many competitors, with numerous podium places decided by only a handful of seconds after more than three hours of racing.

Race Day 3

IRC Class 6:

1. Giovanni Belgrano’s Whooper
2. Simon Cory’s Icom Cool Blue
3. Barnaby Smith / Graham Tullett / Nick Hance’s Imptish

IRC Class 7:

1. Jo Richards’s Eeyore
2. Paul Dunstan’s Mandarin
3. John Mulcahy’s Estrella

Redwing:

1. Ed Nainby-Luxmoore’s SnowGoose II
2. James Tate’s Rosetta
3. Nick Rowton-Lee’s Banzai

Swallow:

1. Mike Wigmore’s Gwaihir
2. Malcolm Green’s Archon
3. Charles Fisher and Richard Thompson’s Migrant

Black Group:

Quarter Ton Class:

1. Tony Hayward’s Blackfun
2. Sam Laidlaw’s Aguila
3. Louise Morton’s Bullit

Contessa 32:

1. Donna and Martin Rouse-Collen’s Andaxi
2. Ed Bell’s Mary Rose Tudor
3. Charles Hill

White Group:

Sunbeam:

1. Becky Wickens and Oliver Gilchrist’s Sky
2. Stewart Reed’s Firefly
3. Roger Wickens’s Danny

30 July 

Weather fronts and gusty west south-westerly winds at Lendy Cowes Week led to some spectacular racing displays on the first two days of the regatta.

Day two was particularly tough for the competitors with classes seeing multiple retirements due to groundings, collisions and rig damage.

The gusty west south-westerly wind topped 25 knots at times.

Rupert Holmes from Lendy Cowes Week reported that many of the larger Black Group yachts finishing on the Royal Yacht Squadron line experienced multiple broaches and spinnaker wraps, much to the delight of the throngs of spectators lining the shore.

Race Day 2

White Group:

J/80 class:

1. Chris Body’s MockingJay
2. Terence O’Neill’s Aqua J
3. Felix Trattner’s UKSA 3

Dragon’s race:

1. Gavia Wilkinson-Cox’s Jerboa
2. Donal Small/Martin Payne’s Full Speed
3. Russian entry Igor Goikhberg’s Zenith

Sportsboat Division 2:

1. Malcolm Robert’s modified 9 metre Ker Sunshine
2. Michael Livingstone’s 1720 Rum n Cork
3. Steph Merry’s 1720 Midnight Cowboy

Black Group:

Many of the larger Black Group yachts finished on the Royal Yacht Squadron line experienced multiple broaches and spinnaker wraps due gusty west south-westerly winds. There were also plenty of retirements.

In the Fast40+ class, Peter Morton’s Girls on Film was leading by two minutes, approaching Baxters buoy located near Gurnard Head when she hit a rock. As a result, Invictus and Rebellion had a minor coming-together, while a fourth boat in the fleet suffered damage when the topmast of 42 South broke above the upper spreaders. Despite the various problems there were no injuries among any of the crews in the class

 IRC Class 0:

1. Bernard Langley’s TP52 Gladiator
2. Igor Yakunin’s Ker 46 Lady Mariposa R
3. Christian Zugel’s Mat 1180 Tschuss

IRC Class 1:

1. Zero ll – Cowes Race School
2. Sam Cox’s lower rated King 40 Nifty
3. Tony Mack’s J/111 McFly

Race Day 1

White Group:

J/70 class:

First race:

1.  Ali Hall’s Sceptre
2. Nick Phillip’s Chaotic
3. Paul Childs’ F’in Magic 2

Second race:

1. Swiss entry Lorenz Mueller’s YCB Team
2. John Greenland’s Jumbo
3. Paul Childs’ F’in Magic 2

SB20 class:

First race:

1. Jerry Hill’s Sportsboatworld.com
2. Australian Michael Cooper’s Export Roo
3. Porco Rosso

Second race:

1. Porco Rosso
2. Export Roo
3. Richard Powell’s Marvel.

XOD class:

(Restarted due to weather/tide under a Z flag indicating 3% time penalty for any boat crossing the line in the final minute before the start. Shortened course)

1. Colin McKinnon, Neil Hart and Guy Partington’s Catherine
2. Rory, Amanda and Stuart Paton’s XL
3. Swallow

Black Group:

Many of the Black Group fleets had shortened courses on day 1, with nine classes finishing early at South Bramble buoy and a further two at North Ryde Middle.

Fast40+ class:

1. Bas de Voogd’s Carkeek 40 Mark 3 Hitchhiker
2. Steve Cowie’s modified GP42 Zephyr
3. Sir Keith Mills’ Ker 40+ Invictus

J/109 class:

1. Richard Marsden and Rachel Toman’s Judgement Day
2. Chris and Victoria Preston’s Jubilee
3. Christopher Sharples and Richard Acland’s Jukebox

Cruiser Division A:

1.  Chris Panting’s Beneteau First 35 No Chance
2. X-55 Pioneer Lutine
3. Rob Denning’s Swan 46 Bewick of Hamble

The post Cowes Week Results: Whooper named overall winner appeared first on YBW.

Cowes Week is one of the longest running sailing regattas in the world, attracting thousands of professional and amateur sailors every year.

Throughout the week, between 800-1,000 boats will compete daily in up to 40 different handicap, one-design and multihull classes.

Racing at Cowes Week. Credit Rick Tomlinson

This mixture of racing attracts tens of thousands of people to the regatta every year.

Several classes that raced more than 50 years ago are still racing today.

These include Dragons, Flying Fifteens, Redwings, Sea View Mermaids, Solent Sunbeams, Swallows, Victories and X-one-designs.

New classes are also introduced as they increase in popularity.

Last year the then new Fast 40+ class chose the regatta as one of its five core events for its first season.

The class encompasses 14 very light displacement high-performance yachts, with IRC ratings in a narrow band between 1.210 and 1.270, chosen to deliver fast and close inshore racing.

A strict owner/driver rule, with only five professional sailors allowed in the 11-strong crew, ensures that the skill of the owners is a vital part of each boat’s success.

Up to 40 races each day. Credit Rick Tomlinson

How to follow Lendy Cowes Week:

Cowes Week iconic fireworks display. Credit Rick Tomlinson

Watch ashore:

The best place to watch the regatta is between the Castle of the Royal Yacht Squadron and the cannons – but beware, it gets a little noisy! From this point you can see the start. You can also hear the race officers giving their countdowns and calling the starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron battlements. Watch the fleet as they finish at the Green towards Egypt Point in the afternoon.

Watch on a boat:

One of the most fun ways to watch the regatta is on a Spectator Boat. Trips are an hour-long and depart 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm from Trinity Landing on Cowes Parade. They cost £12.50 for an adult and £8 for a child. More details about reserving places and offers for family groups are available here.

You can also watch from a RIB. RIB rides are available throughout the week with departures at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. They last an hour each and spectators can watch as close to the action as possible.Each trip costs £35 for an adult and £25 for a child. More details are available here.

Read sailor Rupert Holmes’ top tips to enjoying Cowes Week.

Watch online:

If you can’t attend the event this year, you can watch it online. The races will be streamed on Lendy Cowes Week’s website from 29 July. You’ll be able to watch it by clicking on the below link (but remember that the link will live only from that date): https://livestream.com/ngresults/lendycowesweek2017

Cowes Week Details

Date: 29 July – 5 August

Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight

• 29 July: Live music
• 30 July: Family day
• 31 July: Andrew Simpson Foundation Day (ASF)
• 1 August: Ladies Day
• 2 August: Youth Day
• 3 August: Cowes Parade
• 4 August: Red Arrows display and fireworks
• 5 August: Cowes Parade

Continues below…

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How to get there

Ferry Services:

There are regular ferries to and from the Isle of Wight, and it is advisable to book your ticket early.

There is very limited parking in Cowes and it is essential to book for the car ferry service.

Note that a discount of 10% is available on Red Funnel car ferry bookings made prior to the end of June.

Red Funnel

Red Funnel runs services over 2 routes to and from the Island.

Red Jet Hi-Speed: Southampton to West Cowes (passenger only). Runs every 30 minutes throughout the day, journey time approx. 23 minutes.

Passenger/Vehicle Ferry: (Southampton to East Cowes). Operates 24 hours a day, journey time approx. one hour.

Both services connect to a free bus service from Southampton Central Rail Station.

www.redfunnel.co.uk

Wightlink

Wightlink runs services over three routes to and from the Isle of Wight.

Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head (Fast Cat Passenger Service). Journey time approx. 22 minutes.
Portsmouth to Fishbourne (Car and Passenger Service). Journey time approx. 40 minutes.
Lymington to Yarmouth (Car and Passenger Service). Journey time approx. 30 minutes.

www.wightlink.co.uk

Hovertravel

Hovertravel operate the Southsea to Ryde Esplanade Hovercraft passenger service. The journey takes less than 10 minutes.

The service runs frequently, seven days a week for foot passengers.

www.hovertravel.co.uk

Berthing:

It is no surprise that berthing during Cowes Week is in high demand and should be organised as soon as possible.

Book early for berthing. Credit Rick Tomlinson

More details are available on the mooring page of the event website.

One-design classes should contact their class secretary as berthing is arranged on a fleet basis in many cases.

For other classes, the main berthing providers are:

East Cowes Marina
Telephone: +44 (0)1983 293 983
Email: sales@eastcowesmarina.co.uk

Cowes Harbour Commission
(Moorings & Trots, Shepards Wharf Marina and Venture Quays)
Telephone: +44 (0)1983 297 821
Email: shepards.chc@cowes.co.uk

Cowes Yacht Haven
Telephone: +44 (0)1983 299 975
Email: info@cowesyachthaven.com

Travel from overseas:

For overseas visitors, the nearest airports are Southampton or Bournemouth (Hurn), with London airports within easy reach by taxi or train.

For more information visit http://www.lendycowesweek.co.uk/

The post How to follow Lendy Cowes Week 2017: All you need to know about the longest running regatta in the world appeared first on YBW.

1. Cowes Week started in 1826

The regatta was advertised in the Southampton Town and Country Herald on 31 July 1826.
The race was to be held on 10 August and the entry fee for yachts of any rig or tonnage was £2. The value of the Gold Cup was £100.

2. The oldest class to race is the Mermaids

The Mermaids class race started in 1907 and it’s the oldest of the Cowes Week regatta.

3. Female competitors

Women make up a third of all competitors at Cowes Week and half of the visitors.
Ladies Day was introduced in 2006 to champion women in sailing.

In the last 10 years, there’s been a 150% increase in women skippers taking part.

In 2015 Libby Greenhalgh was the 10th winner of the Ladies Day Trophy.

4. Queen Victoria presented the Queen’s Cup

Queen Victoria presented the Queen’s Cup to the Royal Southampton Yacht Club in 1897, the year of the monarch’s Diamond Jubilee.

5. All those races make you thirsty!

 

Over 50,000 glasses of Nyetimber English sparkling wine are drunk during Cowes Week to celebrate the successes of each day’s racing.

6. Big and small

 

Small open day boats are referred to as the White Group whilst bigger boats – generally with cabins – are referred to as the Black Group

7.  How big?!

The total sail area of all boats racing at the regatta would cover around 24 football pitches with sail cloth.

8. Processing the results is not an easy task

During an average regatta, over 8,000 finishing times, protests, declarations, retirements and disqualifications are processed. Out of these 150 will be protests.

9. Art inspiration

In the 20s and 30s, French painter Raoul Dufy created several artworks depicting the Cowes Week races and the Royal Yacht Squadron club.

One of his most famous paintings, Regatta at Cowes, hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. .

10. And the largest class is…

The largest class to race in the history of Cowes Week is the XOD fleet – in 2011 (the class centenary year) 146 boats entered.

11. Another massive yachting event was founded here: The America’s Cup!

When the New York Yacht Club staged a challenge race against the local Royal Yacht Squadron around the Isle of Wight in 1851, it sowed the seeds of the massive America’s Cup tournament we know and love today.

Continues below…

How to follow Lendy Cowes Week 2017: All you need to know about the longest running regatta in the world

Cowes Week returns on 29 July - 5 August on the Isle of Wight. Here's your guide to one of…

Cowes Week: Where to stay, eat and drink

Cowes and its nearby towns boast excellent restaurants, hotels and bars. Read our guide and reviews to find the best…

10 Best things to do during Cowes Week 2017

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Tips for a perfect Cowes Week

Sailor Rupert Holmes shares his top tips for an enjoyable and successful Cowes Week

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12. It all ends with a beautiful bang

After a glorious eight days of sailing, Cowes Week traditionally concludes with a stunning fireworks display. In fact, Cowes Week has ended with a bang in this fashion for over 150 years.

13. Lots of people are going to be there

100,000 people are expected to descend on the Isle of Wight for Cowes Week this year. As well as the gripping sailing action, there’ll also be festival activities including live music and specially-themed days.

14. Anyone can register to race!

You don’t even have to have a boat, anyone can rent a boat and enter the race at Cowes. You could have a go too!

15. King George V loved Cowes Week

George V, otherwise known as ‘the first gentleman of England’ loved sailing and, of course, Cowes Week. Amongst the rich history of Cowes Week, the Prince Regent very much enjoyed the event as a hangout for his rich and influential friends.

The post Did you know…? 15 Interesting facts about Cowes Week appeared first on YBW.

Not long to go until Cowes Week!

Steeped in natural beauty, the Isle of Wight and the New Forest offer visitors plenty of attractions, leisure activities and an excellent selection of hotels, guest houses, restaurants and bars.

If you are attending Cowes Week this year, it’s time to book your accommodation and reserve a table at the various eateries that the area boasts.

If you like to be in the midst of the action during Cowes Week 2016 (29 July -6 August), this pretty town is ideal to stay in. If you prefer a more tranquil spot away from the hustle and bustle, there are plenty of beautiful coastal or inland places that offer accommodation and entertainment, such as the quaint town of Lymington in the New Forest and Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight.

The island’s official tourism website, Visit Isle of Wight, is an invaluable source of information and advice on where to stay, what to see and do, local transport and services, entertainment and holidays.

Travelling to and from Cowes from the mainland and other towns on the Isle of Wight is easy.
Red Funnel runs a regular passenger vehicle ferry service between Southampton and East Cowes every hour and the crossing takes less than 60 minutes.
Foot passengers need not worry as Red Funnel runs the Red Jet service from Southampton to West Cowes. This fast service takes around 30 minutes and runs every half an hour at peak times and every hour off peak.
If you choose to stay in Lymington, there’s an additional service that runs during Cowes Week which takes passengers from Lymington to Cowes directly. At all other times you can get a train from Lymington to Southampton and then catch the ferry or Red Jet. Alternatively there are ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth. From there there is an option of taxi or bus services to Cowes and other parts of the Isle of Wight.

Where to stay 

The enchanting town of Cowes has several excellent hotels and guesthouses that are just a stroll away from the excitement of Cowes Week. Make sure you book well ahead of time as over 100,000 people descend on the town for the racing event of the year.

Holly Tree House Cowes

Recently opened, this small but beautiful b&b is perched on a hill just a 10 minute walk from the high street.

Holly Tree House offers three pretty rooms with a choice of kingsize or twin beds, all with newly renovated ensuite luxurious bathrooms with a roomy walk-in shower and free standing bath. Towels, bathrobes and high-end skincare products are provided too.

All the rooms are decorated to a high standard, the beds are very comfortable and the level of cleanliness unbeatable.

For breakfast there’s a choice of full English, cereals, fruit, toast and spreads. Make sure you try the bread, which is homemade and simply delicious.

The Holly Tree House owners, Mandy and Mark, are friendly, polite and truly go the extra mile to make guests feel at home, offering a car pick-up from the ferry and sharing their knowledge of the area.
Wi-Fi and coffee and tea making facilities are complimentary.

The Holly Tree House is a bijou guest house and without a doubt one of the prettiest and most welcoming we’ve ever visited.

Room prices start at £70 per night for a single occupancy or £85 for a double or twin including breakfast for the period May-September. For more information and booking visit Holly Tree House Cowes.

The Mayflower Lymington 

If you would prefer staying on the mainland, the quaint town of Lymington is an excellent choice. With easy access to Cowes via the Red Funnel from Southampton or with direct ferries during Cowes Week, this is an ideal location to visit both the Isle of Wight and the New Forest.

Named after the original radio beacon ship responsible for beaming the very first radio signal to The Isle of Wight, The Mayflower pub and guesthouse has been recently renovated to very high standards.

It offers six beautiful rooms (with double or twin beds) all finely decorated with Victorian and nautical themes.
The rooms boast ensuite bathrooms with rain showers. Roll-tops bedroom baths feature in four of the bedrooms.
Three of the rooms have views across Lymington marina and the local sailing club, and all have Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities.
Breakfast is served in the dining area and offers a choice of freshly baked pastries, full English, toast with jam, fruit, cold meats, cheese and cereals.
Staff are attentive, friendly and helpful and the pub and restaurant downstairs offers a well-thought selection of wines, ales, spirits and delicious cocktails (see the ‘Where to eat’ section below). Prices start at £110 per night based on two people sharing. For more information and booking visit The Mayflower Lymington.

Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay

Located a few minutes away from the beach and close to The Needles, the 18th century Freshwater Bay House hosted guests such as Lewis Carroll and Alfred Lord Tennyson. This stunning property offers 48 rooms, several with breathtaking sea views, three lounges, an outdoor swimming pool, children play area and private access to Freshwater Bay Beach. It also features the Dandelion Café, where guests and visitors can enjoy delicious food, cake and drinks.

Much of The Bay’s electricity, heating and hot water is provided by solar panel, making it an ideal place to stay for the eco-conscious. It’s easily accessible to Cowes, by car, cab, bus or you can cycle and take in the stunning coastal view. Prices start at £115 on a full board basis plus a free Ordnance Survey Explorer map of the area. For more information and booking visit Freshwater Bay House.

Where to eat

The Coast Bar & Dining Room, Cowes

Popular with the yacht crowd, locals, and tourists alike, The Coast Bar & Dining is an elegant yet informal eatery in the heart of Cowes.

The exposed brick walls, dark wood floors and leather sofas give the atmosphere a modern cosy feel: the kind of place you’d want to stay at for hours.

And for hours we did stay as we needed time to taste many of the dishes on offer.

The menu is well thought-out and caters for meat, fish and vegetarian eaters alike.

A plate of oysters, from the specials, was glorious. The bivalves were fresh, sweet, creamy and buttery, served with lemon, tabasco and shallot vinegar.
So good they were, we greedily ordered another six before finishing the first plate.
Pan seared scallops with pea puree (the dish comes with black pudding but we asked for it to be left out) was delicate, flavoursome and beautifully presented.

For main, mussels with shallots, garlic, cream, dill and frites hit the spot: the molluscs were meaty and tasty and the sauce light and delicate.

The crab with aioli, frites and salad was mouthwatering: fresh as fresh can get and full of flavour. The aioli was delicious with the right hint of garlic: not overpowering but definitely detectable. The skinny chips were perfect: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

We were tempted by many dishes on the menu. The wild mushrooms and rosemary arancini, Coast seafood linguine. salmon fishcakes, duck confit and wild mushroom ravioli particularly caught our eye, and we have it on good authority that the wood fire oven at the Coast Bar produces the best pizzas outside of Italy.

A classic sticky toffee pudding was perfectly paired with honeycomb ice-cream and the rhubarb crumble worked well with the sweet spiciness of stem ginger ice-cream. Old fashioned puddings such as lemon posset were also on offer, as well as an artisanal cheese platter with Cornish Yarg and Dorset smoked red cheddar.

The wine list is well-put together and paired beautifully with the food.
The cocktail list features old classics such as Dark and Stormy alongside a Coast Bar cocktail of the week.

For more information and bookings visit The Coast Bar & Dining Room.

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The Mayflower Lymington

It’s late afternoon on a Saturday and The Mayflower is bustling with groups of friends, couples and families making the most of the sun that’s just come out after a rainy day.
The huge and manicured beer garden is alive with chatter, glasses clinking and people enjoying the early summer. The Mayflower is getting busy and it’s easy to see why. This nautical pub and restaurant has quickly become an institution in Lymington, thanks to its beautiful and welcoming surroundings, friendly atmosphere, big outside space, delicious food, great selection of wine, local ales and gin cocktails.

A negroni is mixed to perfection, just the way Italians make it; strong and punchy. A Proper G&T is exactly what it says on the tin, and indeed done properly. Two perfect aperitifs.
We sit down to dinner in the light and spacious back dining room, overlooking the beer garden (meals are also served on the terrace).
A starter of Scottish Queen scallop, avocado gratin and homemade sourdough bread is light and delicate.
The mains feature a good selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.
We order pan fried stone bass, pak choi, aromatic rice, lime, soy & ginger dressing, which is executed to perfection. The fish is firm, meaty and full of flavour and paired perfectly with the aromatic rice and greens.

Slow roast pork belly, champ, seasoned greens & Bramley purée is another winner. The meat is perfectly tender and fatty and works well with the purée apple.
Puddings are divine. The banana & apple toffee crumble & custard comes in a generous portion and yet we could still have seconds. A classic baked vanilla cheesecake is given a twist with the addition of shaved pineapple, which adds zing and freshness to it.

The wine menu is extensive and features bottles from Europe, South America, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. It’s well priced too, ranging from £17 for a Verdicchio and a Negroamaro up to £195 for a bottle of Pol Roger, Cuvée Winston Churchill, 1999, with plenty of options in between.
Service is attentive, polite and never intrusive and the staff look like they are enjoying their job and surroundings: a good sign of a team run well.
Would we visit again? Absolutely. We still have to try the crab & lobster macaroni, spinach, morels & tarragon, the Ringwood battered fish & chips, crushed peas & tartar sauce, the baked aubergine with vine tomatoes, feta and couscous, the Hampshire watercress, shaved courgette, fennel & goat’s curd and last but definitely not least the almond profiterole.
For more information and bookings visit The Mayflower Lymington.

Best of the rest

The Union Inn, Cowes: just a stone’s throw away from the sea front, this small traditional pub and inn is pretty, cosy and the perfect place to enjoy a drink.

The Harbour Kitchen, Cowes: another eatery by the owners of The Coast Bar, The Harbour Kitchen specialises in burgers, beer and bourbon. Visitors swear these are the best burgers in the UK and vegetarians are well-catered for with meat-free versions, such as the halloumi, and salad options.

The Terrace Restaurant at the Montagu Arms Hotel, Beaulieu: boasting a Michelin star since 2009, this restaurant is not to be missed.

The Cellar, Lymington: this tasting house and wine merchant offers a great selection of wine and spirits which can be sampled in the back room or on the terrace. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Well worth a visit.

Stanwell House Hotel, Lymington: This lovely hotel in the heart of Lymington offers beautiful rooms, scrumptious afternoon teas, mouthwatering English tapas and delicious lunches and dinner.

The post Cowes Week: Where to stay, eat and drink appeared first on YBW.

The Needles Rocks & Lighthouse

Recently voted as one of the most beautiful places in the UK, The Needles is the iconic image of the Isle of Wight and a fantastic place to visit during Cowes Week.

As well as the stunning views of the Needles Rocks, Trinity Lighthouse and coloured sands, there are a range of other attractions at Alum Bay.

These include a chairlift ride across the beach and the sand cliffs, boat rides out to the rocks, miniature golf, a 4D cinema and demonstrations of glass blowing by some of the island’s craftsmen.

For children, there is a sweet maker and a range of amusements rides, including a carousel.

For more information visit www.theneedles.co.uk

Rosemary Vineyard

Definitely one of the adults! The Rosemary Vineyard has free guided tours every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Over 30 minutes, visitors can learn about the wine making process and taste the finished product.

As well as English wine, the award winning vineyard also produces liqueurs, juices and ciders. These are all made on the estate from grapes and apples grown on the 30-acre site.

Light lunches and afternoon tea can be purchased from the onsite coffee shop. There is also a gift ship which stocks a range of goods produced on the Isle of Wight.

For more information visit www.rosemaryvineyard.co.uk

Shanklin Beach

If you want to escape the sailing crowd, head to Shanklin Beach at the opposite end of the island from Cowes.

This is one of the Isle of Wight’s best known stretches of golden sands; it even has a traditional English seafront promenade with fish and chip shops and ice-cream sellers.

At the southern end of the esplanade, beach huts line the sea wall and there is the thatched Fisherman’s Cottage pub at the bottom of Shanklin Chine.

At low tide, you can walk from the beach around the headland to Luccombe Beach.

For more information go to www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

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Dinosaur Isle

Learn more about the island’s rich geology and its fossil collection at Dinosaur Isle, a purpose built interactive museum above the Sandown Library.

Designed in the shape of a giant pterodactyl, the museum houses more than 1,000 fossils. An introductory exhibition gallery takes the visitor from the Ice Age of the recent past, back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs lived.

This leads to the large dinosaur gallery, which has displays including skeletal re-constructions, life sized fleshed re-constructions and two animatronic dinosaurs.

Open all the year round, the attraction uses clever lighting, artwork, sound, smells and animatronic technology to create an exciting experience for young and old alike.

For more information visit www.dinosaurisle.com

Eat a Minghella ice cream

The Minghella family has been making ice creams on the the Isle of Wight for more than 60 years.

Their range of over 200 ice creams and sorbets has won more than 80 Great Taste awards from the Guild of Fine Food.

Made using milk from Guernsey cows, flavours range from chocolate brandy truffle, Christmas pudding and banana smoothie to the more traditional vanilla and mint choc chip.

You can buy a cone of your favourite flavour at the farm shop at Briddlesford Lodge Farm, where Minghella’s is based.

Alternatively, it is stocked by many shops on the island, including the Bliss Ice Cream parlour in Cowes and the cafe on Osborne Beach.

And in case you’re familiar with the name Minghella, the founders of the ice cream business are the parents of the film director, writer and producer Anthony Minghella.

He is best known for the films Truly Madly Deeply, The Talented Mr Ripley, Cold Mountain and The English Patient.

For more information visit www.minghella.co.uk

Osborne House

The favourite royal residence of Queen Victoria, Osborne House is just a short step away from the sailing action at East Cowes.

It is, unsurprisingly, one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Isle of Wight.

Immerse yourself in the Victorian opulence and extravagant interior of the house, including the Indian décor of the Durbar Room.

Visitors can also explore the private royal apartments including the Queen’s bedroom and royal bathrooms, and The Swiss Cottage, a chalet that was specifically built for the royal children.

The walled Victorian garden and hothouses with exotic plants will keep green fingered visitors happy.

Don’t forget to take in the stunning views across the Solent as you walk through the extensive grounds.

For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

Enjoy a meal at Thompson’s

With a focus on showcasing produce from the Isle of Wight, Thompson’s offers you some of the best cuisine on the island.

It is run by the youngest British chef to ever receive a Michelin star, Robert Thompson.

The contemporary ‘open kitchen’ restaurant offers a delicious modern British menu inspired by the flavours of the island and Robert’s experiences.

Expect light, classically inspired dishes, packed with intense, pure flavours; something that the chef himself would enjoy eating.

The restaurant offers a range of dining options. There is an eight-course tasting menu from £65 per person or the A La Carte experience.

Choices range from lobster poached in Café de Paris butter and harissa spiced rabbit to roasted rump of lamb or cigarette of local “green barn” goats cheese

There is also a lunch menu from £12 for one course. Try the local Laverstoke Park Farm mozzarella, confit leg of local chicken or salt baked carrot salad.

For further information visit www.robertthompson.co.uk

Walk the Warrior Trail

This 6 mile circular trail follows the route the real-life WW1 War Horse, Warrior was once exercised.

Dubbed the ‘Horse the Germans Could Not Kill’ by the newspapers of the time, the Isle of Wight’s most famous equine resident became something of a local hero when it returned to the island in 1918.

The trail runs from Carisbrooke Castle to the beach at Brook Bay, where Warrior was trained to confront the dangers of battle in the surf. Walkers can take in the picturesque villages of Mottistone and Brook, the island’s Neolithic Long Stone and sections of the coastal path.

The route can be done on foot, by bike and even on horseback.

For further information visit www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

Enjoy a spa treatment at The Cabin at Ventnor

Ventnor has a long history of being a spa town, with Victorian visitors coming for the mild climate and pure sea air.

If you fancy a bit of pampering head to The Cabin, which offers a range of spa and holistic treatments.

There are two treatment rooms – one is at beach level, while the other, The Crow’s Nest, is an exclusive cedar wood cabin with stunning sea views.

All treatments use certified organic products where possible. Full or half day packages are also available.

Located on the Western end of Ventnor Esplanade, The Cabin was a finalist in the UK Professional Beauty Awards 2016.

For further information visit www.thecabin-ventnor.co.uk

St Catherine’s Lighthouse

Overlooking the Solent on the southern tip of the Isle of Wight, St. Catherine’s Lighthouse has long been a guide to ships approaching the Solent.

The distinct octagonal tower is also a waymark for vessels navigating in the English Channel.

Although the lighthouse no longer has resident keepers, it still requires care and attention to provide a beacon for sailors.

Tours of the lighthouse last 40 minutes and reveal how old-fashioned technology is still helping to save lives today.

Climb up the 94 steep steps to explore the very top floor, and hear some of the stories from the lighthouse’s past.

For further information visit www.trinityhouse.co.uk

The post 10 Best things to do during Cowes Week 2017 appeared first on YBW.

For the last three years the official charity at Cowes Week has been the UKSA.

During that time, more than £200,000 has been raised by those attending the annual regatta.

But now, Cowes Week is looking for a new charity to support for 2017.

Cowes Week Limited said it appoints an official charity in order that fundraising activity during the event can be conducted in a focused way.

“Experience and feedback has shown that having a single charity with clear objectives aligned to the event is the best way of channelling charitable activity at the regatta,” it said.

Commenting on the UKSA’s tenure as the official Cowes Week charity, the CEO of UKSA, Ben Willows, said: “Thanks to the generosity of those attending Cowes Week we have raised over £200,000 in the last three years.”

“This has allowed UKSA to provide transformational and life changing opportunities to many young people and to invest in the site to continue to offer world class facilities bringing amazing outcomes,” he continued.

“To be the official charity to Cowes Week has been a huge honour. As a charity which uses the power of the sea to make a difference to young people’s lives, what better way to do it than at the world’s most famous sailing regatta,” he added.

Over the last three years, the charity has successfully provided opportunities at Cowes Week for all-comers to get afloat and experience the excitement of sailing.

The UKSA has also had a strong presence at Cowes Yacht Haven and worked closely with the local business community and event sponsors.

It experienced great success and engagement with some of their fun initiatives such as “Boss Up a Mast” where senior executives were winched up masts of their ocean-going yachts, and not allowed down until a fundraising target had been reached.

Cowes Week Limited is now beginning the process of appointing an official charity for next year’s regatta.

The initial length of agreement offered will be one year, to cover the 2017 event.

Any charities that are interested in becoming involved should register their interest with the regatta’s Kristen Lloyd.

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The post Cowes Week searches for new official charity for 2017 appeared first on YBW.

The countdown has started! Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2016 kicks off on the Isle of Wight this Saturday, 6 August. Official clothing supplier to the event, MUSTO has gone behind the scenes to meet some of the faces involved the event: from organisers and participants to Cowes Week’s gorgeous, furry mascot, Bertie the dog.

Sonia Mayes – Deputy Chairman of The Protest Committee 

Sonia may be strict when it comes to the rules of the regatta, but looks forward to the unique excitement of the competition each year. Sonia’s favourite memory of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week was a mass protest of 25 people. She looks forward to seeing old friends, and being part of the buzz for another successful year.

Phil Hagen – Regatta Director

Phil Hagen loves seeing the large number of people out racing on the Solent during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week which can be up to 8,000 individual sailors.
“At the end of the day when all of the racers come back in and have had a good day out on the water it’s so rewarding.” he says. “Each day we set off 37 class races, some classes have several races, which can mean 39 starts in a day. Each class averages 10 mark roundings per race, that’s close to 400 mark roundings happening simultaneously on the water – it’s a hell of an organisational feat.”.
Phil is pictured with Commercial and Marketing Director, Kate Johnson and Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Kristen Lloyd. Brother and sister,

Sophie and Will Heritage – Participant and under-25 Skipper Trophy Holder

Will and Sophie Heritage can’t wait to compete at this year’s event. Will who is currently holding the Under-25 Skipper trophy is most looking forward to competing with his father on an array of challenging courses. His sister Sophie is competing in her X-boat, ‘Myrtle’ and excited to be turning 18 and finally being able to party at this year’s regatta.

Tom, Charlie and Harry – Participants

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2016 is a huge breeding ground for young sailing talent and triplets Tom, Charlie and Harry, 15, will be racing their Squib at this year’s regatta. They look forward to the opportunity to race in a different part of Solent as “it’s a great opportunity to learn from the other competitors”.

Tod Taylor – Line Officer

Line Officer Tod Taylor, plays a huge role in ensuring all competition runs smoothly and fairly during the regatta. He is looking forward to The Friday Night Spectacular which he watches from his house in East Cowes. He says “The Typhoons, Red Arrows and Fireworks make the most fantastic noise. It’s a special evening”.

Bertie Lloyd – Mascot

Last, but by no means least, is Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week mascot, Bertie Lloyd. Bertie especially enjoys dropped snacks left by Cowes visitors and recalls with great fondness, the time he was bought a special doggie ice cream. He hopes the purchaser of the ice cream returns, but is a little anxious about this year’s fireworks display.

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The post Cowes Week 2016: Meet the people (and the dog) behind the scenes appeared first on YBW.