News

09:35 Thursday 9 Aug 2018 Sue Pelling/LCWDay 6 preview – racing hots up with three days to go

An important day for Class 0 on the second day of Triple Crown series – photo Paul Wyeth/LCW

A rainy start this morning at Lendy Cowes Week has failed to dampen the spirits for those preparing to head out on the water for day six of the regatta.

As the concluding days of the regatta draw closer, on-the-water battles are heating up with, in some cases, just a few points separating the top few boats.

Today is also the second day of the three-day Triple Crown series for IRC 0. For this, three of the sailing world's most historic trophies (King George V International Cup, Queens Cup, and the Royal Yacht Squadron’s King’s Cup 1920), will be awarded to the class winners, and the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Cup – presented to the overall winner of the Triple Crown. 

Weather

A belt of overnight rain is expected to move away before racing gets underway today, leaving a frustratingly light and patchy north or north-westerly airflow of 2-10 knots in its wake. This is forecast to swing to the south-west late afternoon and increase to 10-20 knots, driven by a change in the gradient wind, not by a sea breeze.

Courses

The intention is to get racing away on schedule, with the bulk of the Black Group yachts starting from the Bramble line, heading to the west, before finishing on the Royal Yacht Squadron line from the west. The Black Group committee boat will be stationed near Browndown in the eastern Solent. White Group dayboats will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, and finish on the mid-Solent Bramble line, with the exception of the 100-strong Squib class, which is starting from the White Group committee boat. 

Activities

Shoreside activities at Lendy Cowes Week continue all day, kicking off at 1100 with the 1851 Trust Treasure Hunt based along Cowes Parade. The first of two 1851 Trust Workshops is at 1115 with today’s theme: Float your Boat.

As well as the Treasure Hunt and activities on the 1851 Trust, there are plenty of other activities to keep children entertained including Twisted Inflations at 1300 at Cowes Yacht Haven and at 1500 Huxley Magic.

Shepards Marina and Northwood House also have a packed schedule of activities including the Fever-Tree Crew Cap Party at Shepards from 1800. It is also the Northwood House Charitable Trust Ladies Lunch at 1200. Tickets, 01983 293642.