News - 2014

13:03 Saturday 2 Aug 2014 Rupert Holmes/CWLRacing under way at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014

The first start of the regatta was for the Etchells class

The weather front that brought a band of rain, along with very shifty and gusty winds to the Solent this morning, has cleared away. The wind is now swinging into a more stable south-westerly of around 12-16 knots in the wake of the front and the sun has broken through the thinning clouds above Cowes.

All classes have now started, although the 80 strong XOD class had a general recall for their first start on the White Group committee boat line close to Bart’s Bash racing mark in the eastern Solent. The first of the White Group dayboats, starting with the Etchells and Daring classes, are expected to finish on the Shrape line off East Cowes from 1315 onwards.

Black Group yachts are predicted to start finishing on the Royal Yacht Squadron line from 1430, with the big boats from IRC Class 0, among the first to arrive. By this time the tide will be ebbing strongly to the west, so boats will be under spinnaker as close inshore off the Green as they dare, giving the promise of a spectacular sight for spectators.