News - 2012

10:40 Monday 13 Aug 2012 Sue Pelling/CWLAberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week Day 3 outlook

Competitors are preparing for a light, tricky day on The Solent on day three of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

The wind, from the south will start out at 8-12 knots and will increase to 10-15 for a while around lunchtime but a declining area of low pressure moving slowly eastwards, is likely to disrupt the racing.

The reason for this is an associated band of rain, with some heavy showers on its leading edge. The band is currently on the Devon/Dorset border edging eastwards towards Cowes. This is likely to leave light winds in its wake, which means there is a possibility of shortened courses if it gets to The Solent earlier than expected this afternoon.

White Group dayboats starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) line will initially head to the west, before routing north of the Bramble and onto the Knoll bank. Sunbeams, Swallows and XODs will have a committee boat start in the region of Hamble Yacht Services buoy in the eastern Solent, and all White Group boats will finish on the Shrape line off East Cowes.

Black Group classes starting on the RYS line will head to the east, while the Black Group committee boat will be in the western Solent. All Black Group classes will finish on the RYS line, approaching from the east.

As the fleets make their way out to the start line this morning, the party atmosphere on shore continues. Live music on Cowes Parade starts at 1200, while the bands in Cowes Yacht Haven, which have a distinct jazz theme today, will start at 1430.

Free whisky mentoring sessions in The Talisker Boathouse continue today, on the hour, every hour. For those out and about watching the racing from the Green, there’ll be a chance to see the Trinity House Vessel – Galatea – moored in Cowes Roads. She will be moored there until Wednesday 15 August.