Cowes Classics Week announces new link with Classic Channel Regatta and YCC for “Five Lights” Series

Cowes Classics Week 2024 announces new link with The Classic Channel Regatta and Yacht Club Classique for the “Five Lights” Series © Cowes Classics Week

The Notice of Race will be published and entries opened to the 2024 event early in March. The regatta website can be found at www.cowesclassicsweek.org.

The second biggest annual regatta in Cowes is run by sailors for sailors, involving over 90 volunteers over 4 race courses offering excellent Corinthian racing conditions. Each year the organisers note carefully the competitors' comments and make appropriate changes to ensure an ever-improving experience. In response to a significant number of comments a Pursuit Race for dayboats will be offered on Monday 8th July followed by series races from Tuesday to Friday morning. Shoreline racing will be Monday to Friday. This enables those that wish to enjoy a whole week of racing to do so but offers others the choice to race for 3.5 days.

The Classic Channel Race is a well-established part of the Yacht Club Classique "Five Lights Series" and enjoyed by a number of Cowes Classics Week competitors. The two events have now agreed a formal co-operation and The Classic Cowes-Dartmouth Race will start on Sunday 14th July on the Royal London YC line, giving those yachts competing in Classics Week Friday afternoon and Saturday to prepare for the race to Dartmouth.

The Solent Sunbeams and Swallows are looking forward to another memorable week racing on the Solent with the elegant Darings and Dragons from Cowes amongst many others. A new class for 2024 are the Rustler 33s who hope to present enough boats for a class start.

The regatta offers the KLR handicap system to those yachts not racing as one a design fleet, but in a response to competitors' comments for 2024 yachts may choose their own handicap system providing all those competing together in a class can agree!

Cowes Classics Day to be held on Sunday 7th July has become an established prelude to the racing. In addition to the 50 + classic and interesting cars with their enthusiastic owners filling the Parade, we will also welcome several classic motor boats, a visit by a WWII Motor Gun Boat and flying displays including a Spitfire. There will be a programme of activities throughout the day and participants in Cowes Classics Week and Classics Day will be able to enjoy lunch and full afternoon tea in the Royal London Clubhouse. We expect to exceed last year's Cowes Classics Day attendance of over 1000 people.

For more information please visit the website.