Cowes Week is 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 at 0930 on Thursday 10 August 1826. That first race was for a "Gold Cup of the value of £100" and was held under the flag of the Royal Yacht Club, later the Royal Yacht Squadron. There was another race the next day for prize money only (£30 for first place, £20 for second), a ball on Thursday evening and a dinner and fireworks on Friday evening.
The same traditions still prevail, but since 1946, 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 committee who, with Director Stuart Quarrie and Chairman Peter Ralls, have 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 believed that Cowes owes its name as 'yachting capital of the world' to the building of a small boat called Rat O'Wight on the banks of the river Medina for the use of Queen Elizabeth I. Sailing, however as a leisure pastime took a while to catch on. 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 classes and local one-designers, although the 6-8 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 pre-dominate, especially after the first Admiral's Cup was sailed for 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. After World War II yachting changed from being the province of the rich to a sport for the enthusiast.
A typical Cowes Week now has at least 35 starts a day for the same number of the classes; the number of boats taking part is around 900. Classes include cruiser-racers, one designs and keelboat classes.
Cowes also plays host to visiting foreign warships, sail training vessels and celebrated high profile maxi and round the world yachts.
Despite being a regatta for thousands of sailors from every background Cowes Week is still strongly part of the 'social' calendar, taking place after Goodwood, traditionally starting on the Saturday after the last Tuesday in July. The Solent is a unique piece of water characterised by its tides and challenges and during the Week it is filled with 900 racing boats and 2-300 spectator boats. It gives even the most experienced helmsman and crew plenty of excitement and problems to solved.
The activities ashore are just as much part of the whole event. They vary from cocktail parties, yacht club balls, private parties and public events at Northwood House, including in the spectacular fireworks display held on the final Friday evening, which is attended by tens of thousands of people both watching from the shore and from hundreds of yachts which gather around the harbour.
Cowes Week is traditionally held during the week beginning on the first Saturday after the last Tuesday in July (except where the tides make the traditional dates virtually unworkable). Skandia Cowes Week 2008 will take place from 2nd - 9th August.
www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk |
