 The town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight is host to what is
claimed to be the longest-running, regular regatta in
the world,
having been held in early August every year (except during
the two World Wars) since the first race started in 1826.
Racing is centred on the Solent, the area of water that
lies between mainland Britain and the Isle of Wight about
25 miles
long and five miles wide. It is, in effect, a double-ended
river, open to the sea at both ends of the island with
peculiar tidal patterns to match, keeping tacticians particularly
busy.
History
The first races were hosted and organised by the Royal
Yacht Club, later the Royal Yacht Squadron. The same
traditions still
prevail, but after the end of World War II, seven clubs
and the town regatta committee have jointly organised
the racing
over eight or nine days. Today, representatives from
each club form the Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC) committee
which,
with Director
Stuart Quarrie and Chairman Peter Ralls, has the task
of planning and running the regatta each year. Also traditional
is the
attendance of members of the Royal Family, and an extensive
social programme organised by the various clubs and classes
participating in the regatta.
It is thought that the small
town of Cowes owes its reputation as a major yachting
centre to the building of a small
boat called Rat O'Wight on the banks of the river Medina
(which
runs through Cowes) for the use of Queen Elizabeth
I. But that wasn't the start of leisure sailing as we know
it.The
Dutch
were the first to get the bug and Charles II was presented
with a Dutch-built yacht, which he sailed on the Thames.
It was not until 1820 when the Prince of Wales became
King George
IV, that his interest in yachting resulted in the Royal
Yacht Squadron being formed 13 years later and the
first
racing took
place at Cowes.
Until 1914 the big cutters and raters
raced, while between the wars there were cruiser handicap
and local
one-design
classes, although the 6-metres, 8-metres and 12-metres
attracted the
most racing interest. After 1946, when for a few
years there was a revival of big yacht racing, ocean racing
classes started
to predominate, especially after the first Admiral's
Cup was competed in 1957 and the two ocean races
that
start
and finish
the week, the Channel and Fastnet races, began to
gain in popularity. Because the Fastnet Race is held in
odd-numbered years only,
another offshore course is sailed in even years to
attract ocean racers to the regatta.
Social calendar
With its Royal connections, the week has traditionally
attracted the rich and famous, as well as a broader
audience, given that
the timing fits in with the quintessentially English
summer social schedule of rowing, horse racing,
tennis and sailing.
For competitors, shoreside entertainment revolves
around the various yacht clubs in Cowes that hold
balls, parties
and cocktail
parties. For many sailors the Yacht Haven, at the
heart of Cowes Week, has become and evening entertainment
haunt, with
live bands, large bars and a shopping area. The
social traditions of Cowes go hand in hand with the racing
and for those taking
a break from hectic work, the evenings can be as
attractive
as the racing itself.
For more information about the event follow
this link.
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