Cowes Classics Regatta 2025 - Entries Open and NoR Published
by Cowes Classics Regatta 25 Apr 03:15 NZST
30 May - 1 June 2025
16th Cowes Classics Week © Tim Jeffreys Photography
Cowes Classics Regatta, the flagship event of the Royal London Yacht Club in Cowes, in conjunction with the Royal Thames Yacht Club, is delighted to announce that entries have opened, and the Notice of Race has now been published on the dedicated regatta website.
Early entries have already been received for the regatta which has a new format for 2025 after considering detailed feedback from competitors. The regatta will run from Friday 30th May through to Sunday 1st June, but the shortened format has retained many of its much-loved and iconic traditions.
"It was vital that we recognised the shifting demands of all our stakeholders," commented His Honour Judge Peter Ralls KC, Chairman of Cowes Classics Regatta, "whilst also retaining the key facets that have made the week-long regatta such a success in the past. I trust that competitors in the one-design fleets will find up to eight compacted races to be both a challenge and a welcome upscale, whilst those competing off the shoreline will complete a seven-race series. Meanwhile I am enthused to see shoreside events that mirror and complement the on-water activity."
On the water, the majority of the racing will be run from committee vessels across a number of race course areas, with the option to still use the club's shoreside starting line if required. The two clubs have been working with the various classes to ensure that they are given the type of racing they individually prefer, be that windward/leeward or laid mark courses around the Solent. The regatta will be run in a Corinthian spirit but is aiming to offer some great racing across the Solent, balanced with a varied social programme.
Early entries have included many of the Cowes-based Daring fleet, a competitive number of Squibs, Bembridge and Fife one-designs and a Sparkman & Stephens yawl. The 6-Metre class has been keen to support Cowes Classics Week in recent years, and early entries are hopefully just the start for this beautiful class of yachts.
Shoreside events include the traditional tea and cakes after racing for all competitors, the opening drinks reception hosted by the Dartmouth Gin Company, the ever-popular Kendalls Fine Art drinks reception on Saturday evening and the reception and prize-giving at the Royal Yacht Squadron that will take place after the racing on Sunday.
The Royal London Yacht Club, now also the Royal Thames shoreside base, is in the heart of Cowes Parade and will be hosting a series of regatta events every evening from Thursday 29th May with a pre-regatta supper, the traditional regatta barbecue on Friday 30th May, the regatta dinner sponsored by Nyetimber on Saturday, and a survivors' supper on Sunday 1st June. All the events must be pre-booked on the website and the event organisers advise booking early as they get filled up quickly due to their popularity amongst competitors.
Now in its fifth year, Sunday will once again be a spectacle on the Parade for 'Cowes Classics Day' with classic cars on show including the late businessman Asil Nadir's 1986 Bentley Continental (one of only 77 ever produced) whilst on the water, moored at Trinity Landing, will be a selection of classic yachts including the last known functioning Pinnace used by the Royal Navy. Free to all, 'Cowes Classics Day' has become somewhat of an institution in Cowes, and this year promises something for all.
Cowes Sailability, the charity that offers sailing and recreational boating opportunities for adults and children with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and debilitating long term conditions, has been nominated as the chosen charity of Cowes Classics Regatta 2025.
The Notice of race, entry forms and booking sheets for all the planned events and dinners are available online at www.cowesclassicsregatta.org and both the Royal London Yacht Club and the Royal Thames Yacht Club extend their invitation to enter and become a part of the 'new' Cowes Classics Regatta 2025.