News - 2012

10:24 Wednesday 15 Aug 2012 Sue Pelling/CWLAberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week Day 5 Outlook

In contrast to the superb sailing weather seen over the first few days, conditions have changed this morning. This has forced the abandonment of racing in many classes on day five of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

The reason behind the change of conditions is a low-pressure system of 976mb moving towards the UK. Although mean wind speeds in The Solent for much of the day will be 18-23 knots, the biggest concern is an active and wide front, which has the potential to produce sustained squalls of 33-34 knots.

With no prospect of any improvement until well into the afternoon, race officials have abandoned all racing for the dayboat classes in White Group and also for IRCRS, IRC Class 6, IRC Class 7 and Quarter Tonners in Black Group. Sunsail have opted to race with no spinnakers.
All remaining Black Group classes will race in the eastern Solent, with the boats starting on the line off the Royal Yacht Squadron heading east at their start, and the Black Group Committee Boat stationed off East Cowes.

Although the rain and wind has put a dampener on the day, activities on shore continue to draw the crowds to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. The music on Cowes Parade starts at 1200, and runs throughout the day until 2300, while in Cowes Yacht Haven there's a chance to take part in free whisky mentoring sessions starting from 1200 in The Talisker Boathouse on the hour, every hour. The Gill Stage in Cowes Yacht Haven has a full programme of music scheduled, with live performances from Soul Lounge, Stu Collins and T-Rextasy.