Tuesday, 12 August, 2003 10:30
Cowes Week history |
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| Tight
racing at this year's regatta. |
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The
largest and most prestigious week in the sailing calendar gets underway
in the Solent this August.
The Cowes regatta is the longest-running regular yachting regatta
in the world. |
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Cowes
Week originated in the 1800's and, with its many traditions, has been
part of the British Summer social season for many years.
The
first official regatta was held in 1812, then 14 years later, on August
10th in 1826, the Royal Yacht Squadron formally organised three days
of racing in the waters of the Solent.
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| Soaking
up the sunshine at Cowes Yacht Haven. |
The event
became the Cowes Regatta when King George IV presented a gold cup
worth £100 to mark the occasion.
The 'week', which runs for eight days, sees at least 35 starts a day
from the Royal Yacht Squadron with around 900 racing boats taking
part in the 34 classes.
Each class is made up using the IRC (International Rating System)
which ranks the yachts' individual measurements. Class Zero has the
biggest boats (up to 30 metres long) and class Seven, the smallest.
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| Thousands
of stars fill the sky |
The social
high spot still holds the same traditions 176 years on - with yacht
club balls, dinners, cocktail parties and concerts throughout the
week.
The highlight of the week's evening activities is the famous fireworks
display held on the final Friday which attracts an audience of over
170,000 people both on the water and the shore.
Skandia
Cowes Week 2003
Saturday 2nd - Saturday 9th August
For reports and live results during Skandia Cowes Week, tune
into BBC Radio Solent 96.1FM for bulletins at 20 mins past
the hour from 6am - 6pm
Click
here for the latest bulletin
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