Cowes Week 2022 plans taking shape
by Cowes Week Ltd 27 May 2022 02:31 PDT
30 July - 5 August 2022
Cowes Week © Paul Wyeth / CWL
As the sailing season kicks into gear, plans for Cowes Week are rapidly coming together. Nearly 300 boats have already entered, and we are on track for the biggest entry for some years. As usual the XOD class has had the biggest early entry but all 21 One Design classes, as well as Performance Cruiser and Club Cruiser classes and the seven IRC classes entries are also starting to stack up.
Over the winter the regatta team have been working with all of the club volunteers to get the Manning List agreed and the early training days for course setting plans have already taken place. We have more committee vessels planned for this year giving us maximum flexibility should we need to shorten courses at any stage.
We will be sticking with the same format as last year, starting more races from the Royal yacht Squadron line on a rolling five-minute sequence. Once competitors got used to the change, we didn't have any problems with cross fleet interference last year and it's great to be able to get more fleets away from the RYS start line every day.
Cowes Week is all about world-class regatta racing, but it should also be a wonderful social week, meeting friends old and new. We will shortly be announcing a fantastic sponsor for the opening party which will take place on Saturday 30 July in the Event Centre at Cowes Yacht Haven. With free drinks on arrival and live music and DJ until 1am, the party will be the perfect opener to a fantastic week of racing and socialising.
On Wednesday 3 August we are delighted to announce that we are bringing back the Official Cowes Week Competitors Ball, in conjunction with the Royal Ocean Racing Club. With tickets for 300 and a theme of Best of British/Platinum Jubilee this fantastic black-tie evening will be a great party. With dancing till late and the Clubhouse being decorated to reflect the theme, we hope this will become a much-loved annual event. Cowes Week is that esoteric mix of black tie and crew parties, balanced with great on the water action.
To round out the social week the Overall Prize Giving will take place on Friday evening in the Event Centre at Cowes Yacht Haven and once the prizes are in the hands of the winners, we will have the new Prize Giving Party to round off the week. DJ Mark Covell will be back on the decks to reprise his big night at Cowes Week last year. Not many people can mix an Olympic sailing medal with being a world-class DJ, but Mark Covell pulls off that trick and will make sure that everyone has a night to remember.
Super Early Bird entries at discounted prices can be made until midnight on Friday 27 May (just a few days left!) and we look forward to seeing you on the start line on Saturday 30 July.
To get in touch with the regatta team email entries@cowesweek.co.uk or use the "Ask Laurence" forum on the Cowes Week website.