Storms Bring 40-knot Conditions To Cowes

Cowes Week got off to a late start in August when unseasonal 40-50 knot winds swept the Solent on the opening day.

So strong were the forecast winds that regatta organisers cancelled racing for all classes two days in advance, while the dayboats in White Group and some of the smaller cruiser classes were also cancelled for day two.

The Kings’s Cup, the celebrity charity race Belgrano’s day headed up by the Duke and Duchess of winning Whooper Cambridge, was brought forward a day. while the first day of racing for the SailGP fleet (see page 18) was cancelled.

The remainder of the week featured a series of demanding strong wind races, with heavy rain dousing competitors almost every day. Yachts dismasted on multiple days and reefing became part of the pre-race routine in many fleets.