XOD Telegraph Bowl - Cowes Division Open Regatta

Wind splits the fleet during the XOD Telegraph Bowl - Astralita in full breeze as Fury looks on © Thom Board

The Cowes XOD Division welcomed boats from Itchenor and Lymington for their Open regatta, The Telegraph Bowl. The weekend included the Household Division YC Trophy for the Saturday race. A preamble to Cowes Week the format is one long navigational race each day from RYS line with other classes starting before and after; proper Cowes Week format.

Saturday's race started to the west under blue skies and 10-12kts of SW breeze. Ebbing tide said pin end but there was a little more wind on the shore so from the off the fleet split. X140 and X91 stayed on starboard towards the Island whilst most tacked off to the tide.

At the first mark, Cowes Yacht Haven, there was little to split the Xs other than Dragons coming the other way around the same mark. But as we tacked off to the mainland and MDL Marinas the wind was dropping away. The lead boat X91 was in touching distance of a wind line, the more easterly boats, X78 and X140, were not.

The wind filled in from the mainland shore and northerly boats pulled away. A short beat from MDL Marinas to Lepe Spit saw X91 with X161 followed closely by X39, X178 and X8 making more gains before the flood started. X140 headed into the beach but never recovered as ahead the spinnakers popped up at Lepe Spit.

X161 and X91 were side-by-side for the 2.5NM run from Lepe Spit to Royal Thames in fair tide and a building westerly wind. Stretching away from the chasing pack then X161 managed to show her transom for the beat back to South Bramble. As predicted the wind turned on and 22-24kts stretched out the fleet over another long 2.0NM run down tide to Ancasta beyond the Bramble Bank.

Ancasta to the line was a decision as to how best to cover the 2.5NM; up the bank and across the tide or across the tide to the Island shore. X140, X178 and X78 went south making some gains into the leading pack although X140 stayed on to the Island shore which ended up cementing her last place - so much for local knowledge.

X8 sailed a strong race but with big gusts, wind over tide and a broken bilge pump she gracefully retired and returned safely to the CCYC. X78 sailed an excellent Cowes finish which will be useful for the coming week. The smiles and drinks after racing suggested a satisfied day on the water. The three-hour race giving typical Cowes conditions with building tide, blue sky, no breeze, sea breeze and then 25kts with short steep chop.

Unfortunately, the strong westerly never settled and racing was abandoned on Sunday.

Despite the pressure from a competitive fleet X91 showed why they are multiple Captain's Cup winners, and winners of the 2026 Telegraph Bowl. Well done, John, Tim and Fraser.

• X92 ASTRALITA - Winner, The Telegraph Bowl
• X92 ASTRALITA - Winner, Household Division Yacht Club XOD Trophy

Overall Results: