News - 2017

08:27 Thursday 3 Aug 2017 Sue Pelling/LCWDay 6 preview – Sevenstar Triple Crown concludes today in big winds

Wet and windy conditions in store for today's race – photo Tom Gruitt/LCW

After an action-packed day at Lendy Cowes Week yesterday most competitors will enjoy a day of relaxation today due to too much wind. With winds set to average at around 22-28kts and gusts likely to reach 33-35kts, the race team took a decision to call off all racing today except the classes in the Sevenstar Triple Crown event, which will be contesting the third and final day of the series.

Weather

Today will have long sunny spells with a very strong west-south westerly airflow. This was already giving gusts of 34 knots in the early morning and is forecast to increase during the middle of the day, especially around any shower activity. Wind against tide conditions are whipping up a big sea state north of Cowes, with breaking waves and the wind direction is such that there’s no viable place to anchor a committee boat in a sheltered location.

Courses

The Maxi Racer, Ocean Racer and IRC Class 0 contesting the final race of the Sevenstar Triple Crown three-day series are the only classes racing today, starting from the outer Royal Yacht Squadron line, heading east. Team Jolokia and the 100ft supermaxi CQS will be first away, at 0950, followed five minutes later IRC Class 0. Given the extreme conditions, the two-three hour race will take place in the relative sheltered waters of the Eastern Solent with a finish from the east across the Royal Yacht Squadron line.

Elsewhere, on shore, competitors and visitors to the Island can take refuge from the inclement weather by heading to one of the many bars and eating houses around town. There’ll be a full entertainment schedule with music kicking off on stage on Cowes Parade and Cowes Yacht Haven at 1400. At 1500 at Shepards Wharf Marina the Rum Festival Entertainment is likely to be popular.

The Victorian Fun Fair at Northwood House and the tearooms open at 1100. Northwood House is also running a Falconry Display at 1500 and the Gin Masterclass with Mermaids Gin & Fever-Tree starts at 1800.