The 199th Cowes Week annual regatta was completed in fine style with over 400 boats finishing the last race off the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line under multi coloured spinnakers.
Over the course of the Regatta competitors were treated to some challenging and demanding racing in the famous Solent tides with a big breeze on the Sunday, right through to bright sunshine and lighter winds mid-week.
Overall winners were John Tremlett, Tim Copsey and Fraser Graham in their XOD Astralita. Perennial winners in the class, this year they had a standout score line of five bullets and one second place which gave them top billing in the 38-boat fleet, as well as the White Group (day-boats) and the overall Cowes Week Winner's Trophy. An outstanding performance in what is usually a very difficult class in which to score a string of bullets.
Noteworthy Highlights:
450 entries split between one-design day-boats (White Group) and bigger IRC and handicapped keel boats (Black Group), reflecting growing participation since last year
70 boats competing in 3-5 day Mini-Series, including Cape31s, J70s, SB20s and Swallows
Class 0 / 1 / and Cape 31's competing together for the prestigious Britannia Cup and the New York Yacht Club Challenge Cup,
In IRC Zero: TP52 Braveheart (Malcolm Offord) claimed top honours in the last race by a single point after a tense week with the Dutch Admiral's cupper Van Uden - Rost 3.
In the Cape 31s: Flying Jenny (Sandy Askew) won the mini-series and the prestigious Britannia Cup midweek, but Julian Metherell's Bullit won the last race by a single second to clinch the Cape 31 winners title.
In Sportsboats: Tigger triumphed with near-perfect form, placing consistently ahead of the youthful Derision (J/80), skippered by 20-year-old Henry Heathcote.
In the iconic Daring Class: A tense battle went down to the wire between Dauntless and Doublet, with Doublet ultimately securing victory on the final day.
Other close contests included the Sunbeam class (which was decided in the last 200 metres of the last race run to the RYS line when Roger Wickens was beaten on countback by Oliver Gilchrist and Becky Wickens) and IRC 5 with Scherzo of Cowes (Peter Morton) who just edged out Banter (Handley James Families) by winning the last race.
In IRC 2 David Franks Leon took the top honours with a fantastic performance, discarding a 3rd to score all bullets against perennial rival Yes.
IRC 3 went the way of the Hong Kong crew led by Jamie McWilliam on the Danish BB design, Pelikanen.
Excitement is already building for Cowes Week 2026, taking place 1st - 7th August, when the regatta celebrates its 200th anniversary. Organisers promise heightened entries, enhanced entertainment, and a host of special guests - possibly including fireworks, special visiting boats, and even a Red Arrows display. As well as the Bicentenary Regatta, the season will feature an extended programme of events including classics, European and National Championships, powerboats and charity events.
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