This year's regatta will include many class anniversaries and milestones
Cowes Classic Week organisers from the Royal London Yacht Club (RLYC) have met with class representatives in order that this year’s event meet the needs of its competitors.
Classes involved in the event so far include: Daring (a qualifying event for their annual series), Victory (celebrating their 75th Anniversary), 6mR, 8mR, Sunbeam, Bembridge Redwing, Bembridge One Design, X One Design and Tofinou 9.5 (a new class which sails in the Mediterranean classic events, and have adopted this as their first major UK event).
In addition, a handicap class is expected to include 22sq.m, Tumlare, IOD, West Solent Restricted Class (celebrating their 85th Anniversary), 30sq.m. and all racing classes that exist in limited numbers. It is looking like there may be over 100 boats attending.
It was agreed that using multiple race tracks with committee boat starts provides clear water for each race in a relatively quiet Solent and by rotating the fleets between laid and fixed mark courses provided the variety that is part of a regatta ethos.
One afternoon will be laid aside for a whole fleet race which provides an optional lay half-day for those that need it or a reserve day if necessary.
It is anticipated that Classic Week will attract participants from classic one-design fleets from all around the country, and provide a home for celebratory events as these classes reach key milestones in their life.
Anniversaries due in the next couple of years include:
100th of the X One Design,
75th of the Mylne One Design (based on the Mersey),
75th of the Loch Long (Aldeburgh & Clyde),
75th of the Sq.m. (German Rule) – that became the Windfall Yachts
50th of the first Cowes-Torquay Offshore Powerboat Race
The RLYC have offered their Royal Victoria Cup as an Anniversary Cup to be awarded to any fleet celebrating an anniversary in that year, and The Bartlett Cup – recently discovered in a London attic – to be awarded to the Metre classes
The Notice of Race has now been posted on the web site and an on-line entry system will shortly be in place.