News - 2017

09:50 Tuesday 1 Aug 2017 Sue Pelling/LCWDay 4 preview – Ladies Day

Exciting racing in store on day 4 of the regatta – photo Paul Wyeth/LCW

Wind and sunshine here at Lendy Cowes Week are the two main ingredients for a perfect ELEMIS Ladies Day. It is also the first day of the three day Sevenstar Triple Crown big boat series.

As the countdown of fourth day of racing is underway, teams are preparing to make the most of the good sailing weather before the big winds arrive tomorrow.

To mark the 11th edition of Ladies Day sponsored by ELEMIS, a feature introduced to celebrate the increasing number of women in sailing – women arriving at the event this morning  are showing their support for the occasion by wearing traditional seafaring navy-and-white striped shirts.

As well as the Ariel Trophy, which will be awarded to the boat with the best overall result with a female at the helm in today’s racing, there is also the presentation of the ELEMIS Ladies Day Trophy at Northwood House invitation event. This award was launched to recognize the outstanding contribution, commitment, or achievement of women in sailing.

Weather

Today a weak ridge of high pressure will build over the English Channel, bringing further bright, sunny weather to Lendy Cowes Week. The south-westerly gradient wind will be lighter than it has been over the past couple of days, at 8-12 knots during the starting sequences this morning and increasing to 10-14 knots. The maximum gusts will remain below 20 knots.

Although cloud will build over the mainland shores during the afternoon, both Cowes and the race areas are expected to have clear skies and largely unbroken sun all day.

Courses

Most of the racing will take place in the Western Solent today, although the J/70 and SB20 will start their first race from the RYS line, with the second race taking place in the Hill Head plateau from a committee boat line. The Black Group Committee Vessel start, including the Sigma  33, Quarter Ton, Contessa 32, IRC 7 will start west of Beaulieu and finish on the Bramble line.

Activities

Ladies day celebrations will take place throughout Cowes all day including Ladies Day prizes being given away from the Cowes Parade stage. Need a refreshment? Watch out for Westerhall Pink n Stormy discounted drinks. Keep an eye out for Hannah Mills MBE – Olympic Gold medallist – who’ll be making an appearance at the Andrew Simpson Foundation Discover Sailing feature on Cowes Parade.

 Elsewhere in Cowes there’s plenty of opportunity for shopping, and a chance to enjoy the music, which kicks off at 1100 on The High Street. Also enjoy the music on Cowes Parade, Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Wharf Marina. Alternatively, take a walk up the hill to Northwood House for Afternoon Tea or a Gin Masterclass with Mermaids Gin and Fever-Tree.

 

 

Earlier News Stories

For earlier news stories, as well as results, videos and photographs from previous years, visit our comprehensive Regatta Archive.

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