Chough racing at Cowes Classics WeekEvery year we aim to make Cowes Classics Week better than the year before but never straying from our pledge to provide first class racing with affordable, jolly social events based in the yacht clubs of Cowes.
This year you will see some classic power boats enjoying the event but keeping well away from racing yachts!
Metcheck is forecasting a light day Monday 29th but good breezes of 10-15 knots for the rest of the week.
If you have not entered yet you still have time before the cut off date of Thursday 25th July. We would love to see some more Etchells (YES- they qualify!), 8mR and S&S Swans, but all classes are welcome.
The Sailing Instructions are now available on www.cowesclassicsweek.org
For those of you that have already entered please see following a little more detail about some of the social events and those that haven’t can see what they are missing!
The Sunbeam Class kick off on Saturday evening with their post passage race class dinner party at the Royal London Yacht Club and on Sunday the Skippers’ Briefings start at 17.30 followed by the Welcome Reception at 19.00 to which all are welcome to enjoy a complimentary Mary Rose Gin and tonic kindly provided by Mary Rose Gin. A cash bar is also available to sustain competitors for as long as they wish.
The “Taste of Wight” dinner at the Royal London on Sunday evening has just a few spaces remaining, but most other social events during the week do still have availability but I urge you to book soon as traditionally most events are sold out in the last few days.
Last year we introduced the Cowes Classic Boat Museum to the social events and this year have added a display of interesting and classic cars including a magnificent Aston Martin DB2/4 with a fascinating provenance. The weather was kind to us last year, but not to tempt fate we are arranging under cover eating areas for 2019. The ticket price of £35.00 includes exclusive entry to the Classic Boat Museum where there are some new exhibits, a wide range of generously served food and two glasses of wine or equivalent. We will be taking guided walking parties from the Royal London on the evening to ensure no one gets lost! Bookings can be made online through cowesclassicsweek.org or by calling the office. The Red Funnel daily prizes for Tuesday racing will be presented at this event.
The Kendalls Fine Art drinks reception is strictly limited to 100 to allow all the opportunity to comfortably review the exhibition and entry will be by ticket which can be applied for on the web site. Due to demand changes the Island Sailing Club is now offering the Carvery and the hot fork buffet only. There is still some availability for both.
The reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron has moved to Thursday this year due to the revised Fastnet Race start and other events being held simultaneously in Cowes. The daily prizes for both Wednesday and Thursday will be presented soon after 19.00 before the Regatta Dinner at the Royal London Yacht Club where a magnificent dinner awaits with superb wines kindly provided by Robert Oatley wines. A cash bar will also be available for those that exceed the generosity of Robert Oatley!
As ever the week will come to and end on Friday 2nd August with the famous Winkworth High Tea and prizegiving where every one will be offered a glass of fizz upon arrival generously donated by Professor Tullio Giraldi and the Royal London Yacht Club.
A feature of Cowes Classics Week is the friendly informality of the events combined with the very highest standard of yacht race management. This year, at the complimentary events, each wrist band bearer will be given tokens on arrival at the event, to redeem for drinks. These are transferable and negotiable but should help ensure everyone is able to receive their drinks and we have an audit trail for the inevitable bill that follows!
I look forward to seeing both old and new competitors in Cowes and wish you all fair sailing and fun!
David N Gower
Commodore
Chairman Cowes Classics Week.