Cowes Week began under a light north‑westerly breeze
Day 1 – Saturday, 2 August 2025
At about 13:00, conditions began to improve, and by 13:24, the AP signal was dropped to launch racing
J/70 Class
The 36‑boat J/70 fleet kicked off the action with a general recall, followed by individual recalls that left six boats OCS. Once away around 13:40, they raced a coastal course—Gurnard → Contessa 32 → Jane → Hill‑Head → East Knoll. Bruce Huber’s Endeavour led early, while Sardonyx ran aground. Endeavour claimed race one, followed by Lady Khumbu and Jelvis in third. Two further races ensued, both won by Jelvis, which capitalised on an OCS in race 1 by Casting Couch and established a comfortable overnight lead for the fleet
XOD Fleet
As the final one‑design class to start from the Squadron line, the XODs benefited from a steadier, building breeze. Racing got underway at 15:25 after another general recall; six boats went OCS on the second attempt. Their course sent them northward upshore to Polly’s Challenge, across to Hamble Yacht Services, then west via West Knoll, followed by North Ryde Middle before finishing at the Breakwater line. Astralita (skippered by John Tremlett, crewed by Fraser Graham) took the win, followed by Silhouette helmed by Tom Vernon. Adam Bowers on Silhouette reflected:
Black Group Fleets (Committee Boat Starts)
Larger boat classes—including IRC Zero and the Cape 31s, followed later by IRC 1, 2, 3, Performance Cruiser A, IRC 4, and J/109s—launched from Committee Vessel 1 at 14:25, with subsequent starts around 15:00. By then the breeze had built into a solid Solent blow, allowing for crisp and fast racing along the western Solent course: a long beat to Draycott Chartered Surveyors mark, downwind to Greenings Fintech, then finish. It was the Cape 31s that stole the show: Bullit (Julian Metherell) won the prestigious Queen’s Cup, ahead on IRC of Flying Jenny (Sandy Askew) and Swift Half (Ben Ward). When the breeze hardened to 18–20 knots, Bullit came alive—and Flying Jenny briefly surged but was defeated on corrected time by Bullit.
Day 2 – Sunday, 3 August 2025
With Storm Floris approaching, day two presented more straightforward race management: steady breezes and on‑time starts across the board Notably, racing schedules progressed without delay, and action remained engaging on both water and shore.
White Group (J/70s, SB20s, Etchells, Dragons etc.)
The J/70s launched at 10:30, with strong, steadier offshore winds leading to a highly tactical and competitive pin‑end battle. Other one‑design classes followed with similar patterns. The XOD fleet experienced a minor drama when one crew member on Athena went overboard—but the team executed a textbook recovery and continued to finish 24th.
Cape 31 one‑design races
For the first time, Cape 31s raced independently off Committee Vessel 1. Three short windward–leeward races turned into a compelling showcase of surfing and tactical sailing across lively seas. Meanwhile, in Performance Cruiser A, Coco de Mer led the larger fleet, Flying Jenny topped the Cape 31s, and in IRC Zero Braveheart claimed both line‑honours and the class win
IRC Class 3 & Family Boats
In IRC 3, Ziggy bounced back from Day 1 to win, with Whooper second and Njord third. Two boats—Malice and Full Circle—retired. Ed Mockridge’s Elaine Again took a safer, family crew approach aboard their JPK1010 (six adults and six under‑13s), describing the racing as long windward‑leeward legs and educational for the kids, who found thrills in watching dad get soaked on the foredeck.
Etchells
The Etchells fleet lined up pin‑end off the Squadron and launched cleanly. No Dramas started conservatively and recovered well, though water ingress slowed them mid‑race and they ultimately finished fourth. Leading boats Tango, Palava, Desperate, and No Dramas rounded out the top four. Skipper Andy Beadsworth praised the shared experience sailing with his son Josh and crew, reflecting on the joy of mentoring young sailors while competing hard
Redwing Class
Seventeen boats tackled the Redwing course, with the Gosling family—helmed alternately by sisters Serena and Rosie—well inshore. Rosie described their strategy and result:
XOD Captain’s Cup (Day 2)
The XODs battled again in the Captain’s Cup—a compact 3¼‑hour affair remembered for fierce starts and tight racing. After yesterday’s recall chaos, crews were cautious. Barry Dunning’s seasoned team nailed the pin‑end start, but streaking past them was Astralita (Graham, Tremlett, Copsey), sweeping for their second bullet. Gone Away placed second, with X Ray third after a demanding up‑Solent and Bramble Bank course. The fleet buzzed about the physical toll—metaphorically a “chipolata too many”—before the break for the storm tomorrow
Outlook & Off‑Water Highlights
Weather & Forecast
Storm Floris is due to strike on Monday, 4 August 2025, bringing strong gusty westerlies. Consequently, all racing has been cancelled for Day 3 on safety grounds. However, the shoreside scene remains lively: it’s Charity Day, featuring fundraising events and awareness efforts in support of the RNLI, Autism on the Water, Scaramouche Sailing Trust, and the Andrew Cassell Foundation
Atmosphere & Spectacle
The first two days showcased classic Cowes Week traits: coastal race drama, changing breezes, fiercely packed one‑design fleets, and big‑boat elegant match racing. The Solent delivered both fickle inshore shifts and steady offshore pressure, creating dynamic conditions that rewarded strong boat handling and patience alike.
On Day 1 the slow start and postponed action built anticipation, culminating in standout performances from Bullit, Jelvis, Astralita, and others.
Day 2 confirmed the regatta’s depth: top‑level match‑ups, but also heartfelt family efforts, youth learning alongside season‑ed crew, and the enduring tradition of sailing as a generational sport.