Next month Cowes Week, one of the oldest regattas in the world and one of best-known events in the global sailing calendar, returns ahead its bicentenary in 2026.
This iconic British sporting event takes place each August in the Solent waters off Cowes and welcomes around 500 boats racing in up to 30 classes which race on each of the seven days.
Up to 5,000 sailors race every day ranging from weekend sailors to World Champions and Olympic medallists, plus more than 60,000 visitors head to Cowes to watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment, and experience the unique Cowes Week atmosphere.
Over the years the regatta has been visited by royalty and other world-famous personalities as well as, on the water, naval warships, superyachts and more. One of the great attractions of Cowes Week is that the seven-day racing programme encompasses people from all walks of life, of all ages and abilities and with a range of boats as diverse as the crews participating.
However, you do not need to own a boat or know someone who does to take part. The Crew Forum, on the event website, is a great resource for sailors to make themselves known as available crew to the competing boats. There are opportunities to charter a boat too.
The boats themselves, which range from high-tech racing machines to classic day boats, and family owned to professionally crewed, are split into classes which race on each of the seven days with most starts from the famous Royal Yacht Squadron start line. Some classes also sail courses from a committee boat start on certain days. All, though, will be competing for some of the world’s most prestigious sailing silverware.
Boats will sail varied ‘round-the-cans’ courses designed to suit the style of boat and prevailing wind and tide conditions on each day. The sheltered waters and unusual tidal conditions of the Solent make for some interesting and challenging sailing for all.
Talking of conditions, Garmin is again the Official Weather Forecast Sponsor supporting the event’s official meteorology service, providing competitors and visitors with regular updates on the current and expected conditions.
Jon Oliver, Managing Director of Garmin UK and Ireland, said: “Sailing is in our blood and Garmin marine electronics are built with sailing-specific features to help boat performance. We are proud to play our part in this vibrant and esteemed regatta.”
More detailed real-time weather information will also be supplied to the race management teams and course setters, enabling them to optimise race planning for the varying conditions across the Solent. Summary and detailed forecasts, together with live wind data, will be available through the official Cowes Week App and on the event website.
SPECIAL DAYS
With women accounting for around 30 per cent of competitors, and celebrating the contribution and achievement of women in sailing, the Tuesday of race week is Women’s Day. The Women’s Day Trophy was introduced in 2006 to champion the role of women in sailing and the number of female competitors at Cowes Week. Trophies for the leading female helm and also the leading all-female crew are presented at the Women’s Day reception.
Previous winners have included big names from the world of sailing such as Pip Hare, Dee Caffari MBE and Tracy Edwards MBE. In 2024, the Women’s Day Trophy was awarded to Libby Finch and the female crew of Nightjar, a J/92 racing in Class 4 and owned by Penny Jeffcoate. Many of the crew are also members of the Cowes RNLI crew and Libby was the first female helm at the Cowes RNLI Lifeboat station.
Wednesday, meanwhile, is Youth Day with a Youth Trophy introduced a couple of years ago in recognition of the outstanding commitment and achievement in a more general sailing sense for young sailors. Tottenham teenagers Kai Hockley and Jessye Opoku-Ware, who were racing Flip Flop, a borrowed Flying 15, were last year’s joint winners of the Cowes Week Youth Trophy.
There are numerous additional trophies awarded at the end of the week including the Under 25 Trophy and Young Skipper’s Trophy. The Overall Winner Trophy, though, is awarded to the winner of either Black Group or White Group, determined by the overall winner on points.
In 2024 Rupert Mander and Gareth Edwards’ Flying 15 Men Behaving Badly won her class with a day to spare, along with the White Group. Rupert Mander and Gareth Edwards were also crowned overall Cowes Week winners for the second time in three years and the fourth time in total.
SHORESIDE
One of the great things about Cowes Week is watching the racing from the shore; racing is scheduled to start at approximately 10am every day. The Green and The Parade are great places to view the action, and spectators also have opportunities to go afloat on official event spectator boats. Tickets can be bought in advance online and bookings can be made at the Regatta Centre during the event or on the day from Blue Funnel on Trinity Landing, where the boats depart.
One of the best locations to watch the starts each morning is the area between the Castle of the Royal Yacht Squadron and the cannons. In the afternoon, head along the Green towards Egypt Point to watch the fleet as they finish. The Cowes Week App also provides you with everything you need for the regatta, whether you are taking part, spectating or following the event from home.
Spectating or competing, the lively après-sail atmosphere at Cowes Week means there are plenty of onshore activities to enjoy too. Check out the entertainment schedule on the app or at the event website for a day-by-day guide of things to do.
Bob Trimble, Cowes Week Chairman, said: “Cowes Week has always been an event that the whole town gets behind. As we approach the 200th anniversary regatta in 2026 that commitment from all our partners is as strong as ever. Thanks to fabulous support from Musto, who have been an event sponsor and Official Clothing Partner for the past nine years, competitors can look forward to the Musto Opening Party on 2 August with further parties planned during the week.”
As well as ensuring a fantastic event for competitors and spectators, Cowes Week is committed to minimising the environmental impact of the regatta and spreading the message about sustainability. The event has been awarded Silver Level Clean Regatta Certification by Sailors for the Sea. They work with The Green Blue too, and have signed up with the Clean Seas campaign – Turn the Tide on Plastic.
CHARITY SUPPORT
Autism on the Water has joined as one of the Official Charities for the 2025 edition, and they will be joining the RNLI who became an official charity partner in 2024. AOTW have been regular competitors at the regatta in recent years and will be racing their Impala 28 with guests and crew throughout the week with shoreside activities also planned.
Murray MacDonald, Founder and Director of Autism on the Water, said: “It is a privilege to be supported by such an iconic British sailing event as Cowes Week. This is a great opportunity for the sailing community and wider public to see and learn about what we do whilst being part of the biggest town regatta in the world.
“Alongside competing at the regatta this year, we will also be running many free sailing and motorboating trips and we are planning some surprises too! AOTW are avid fans of Cowes Week, both on and off the water, and we are looking forward to a week of exciting racing and shoreside fundraising activities.”
Taking part, spectating or following the racing from home, all the action from the 199th edition of the regatta begins on 2 August.
INFORMATION
Racing starts on 2 August, and culminates with an overall prize giving on 8 August.
Both regatta and daily entries are available.
Standard Entry: until 20 July (last-minute entries can still be made right up to the eve of the regatta)
The official Cowes Week App provides you with everything you need, whether you are taking part, spectating or following the event from home.
Berthing in Cowes during the regatta is in high demand; it is suggested your berthing is sorted out well in advance.
www.cowesweek.co.uk
2026: 1 – 7 August
