Cowes Week traces its origins back to 1826, when seven yachts competed for a gold cup worth £100 under the banner of the then Royal Yacht Club, which later became the Royal Yacht Squadron. The following year, King George IV lent his support by donating the King’s Cup, awarded uninterrupted until 1939, firmly establishing the regatta as a highlight of the British social calendar.
Over the decades, the event has grown remarkably, now featuring over 500 boats across nearly 40 classes. These range from historic Dragons, Flying Fifteens, and X-One-Designs to cutting-edge ultramodern designs and high-performance multihulls. Today, around 5,000 sailors take part, from Olympic champions to weekend enthusiasts, while more than 60,000 visitors gather to enjoy both the thrilling racing and the lively town festivities.
Each summer, the waters off Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, become a stunning spectacle of sails and competition. The races take place on the Solent, a strait known for its tricky currents and shifting winds. With over 30 starts daily across seven days, the event offers constant action both on the water and ashore.
The 2025 Cowes Week runs from 2nd to 8th August, promising seven days of intense racing and a packed programme of social events. Competitors are split into two main fleets: the White Group, primarily day boats and one-design classes such as J/70, Dragon, Etchells, SB20, and Flying Fifteen; and the Black Group, which includes larger, high-performance yachts like the Cape 31 and IRC Zero classes, as well as cruiser-racers. This diversity means cutting-edge vessels compete alongside classic yachts, while Olympic sailors and seasoned professionals mingle with families racing for enjoyment.
The 199th edition got underway on Saturday 2nd August, although the light northerly breeze of 4 to 8 knots caused a delay in the start times by a couple of hours as Race Officer Phil Warwick at the Royal Yacht Squadron waited for the anticipated westerly wind to settle.
The J/70 fleet set off on their second attempt at 13:40, followed by SB20, Sportsboat, Etchells, Daring, Dragon, and Flying Fifteen classes. However, the fickle wind meant that several White Group starts were postponed to allow space between fleets and to wait for more consistent breezes.
From the committee boat, starts scheduled for 14:25 saw the IRC Zero, Cape 31, and IRC5 classes prepare to race. Though the afternoon was marked by wind shifts and some rescheduling, all fleets managed to complete their courses in more settled conditions.
Beyond the racing, Cowes Week transforms the town into a genuine nautical festival. Today’s events included the Musto Competitor Opening Party and the traditional Commodore’s Cocktail Party hosted by the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
Bob Trimble, Chair of Cowes Week Limited, said: “There’s something very special about Cowes Week: the blend of world-class racing, rich heritage, and incredible onshore atmosphere creates a unique experience for sailors and spectators alike. We’re thrilled with the number of entries so far and look forward to welcoming both returning crews and new competitors to the Solent for what promises to be a spectacular 2025 regatta.”
The races can be followed live on the official Cowes Week website, and fans can also download the event app to stay updated with real-time results and coverage throughout the week.
