Throughout the world, Cowes is known as the home of yachting and yacht racing. The town can trace its yachting history back to Elizabethan times, but it was the interest of the Prince of Wales in 1820 and the formation of the Royal Yacht Squadron shortly after which resulted in the first organised yachting regatta being held at Cowes.

During the late 19^th century and the early part of the 20^th century, Cowes Week quickly became established as a regular part of the annual social scene for royalty and the rich. Since World War II, yachting underwent a fundamental change; smaller and lighter boats became popular and the recent investment of lottery funding is breeding international success at Olympic level and with it a whole new generation of highly skilled sailors. HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, also did much to advance the sport’s popularity and image. In the 1960’s and at his request, the current format of racing organised by Cowes Combined Clubs throughout the week was established using a common RYS starting line. Today, with Stuart Quarrie as director, we have more changes being introduced and with over 1000 yachts racing, in 36 classes, using a variety of Solent courses (you get to know your course at the ten minute gun!), the Race Committee and the competitors have much to cope with. Add to this all those tricky tides, back eddies, the summer wind changes which can occur and the often mass finish under spinnaker or beat close into the beach to reach the finish line - the Solent becomes an interesting place. Calls of “Water!” and “Starboard!” are frequently heard in varying degrees of panic.

The social side is just as much part of the whole event, with a tremendous variety of cocktail parties, balls, discos, and dances both private and public. It can take a considerable personal effort to make the start line at around 10.30 am each day, in a reasonably fit condition. Of course, Friday evening is Barbeque night and the fabulous finale firework display off the entrance of the river.

We at GO SAIL will again be entering with our new “DRAKES DRUM” - a Corby 25, built in 2001; last year we achieved four class wins. So, if you fancy joining Terry and the TEAM for the week, please give us a call.

We are in the very fortunate and somewhat unique position of having our own single pontoon berth actually in the Cowes Yacht Haven which is right at the heart of the action - it all happens here! This is definitely one T-shirt you should have, or even better a genuine quality Go Sail, "I've actually competed at Cowes", crew shirt.