This year sees the 180th annual Cowes Week regatta and, with over 800 yachts taking part, is growing again to justify its place as one of the greatest of British summer sporting events.

This week, the Yachting World team have been doing the daily video highlights with Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, and each day we report on a different facet of the regatta and the competitors taking part. Few sailing events cover such a wide spectrum as Cowes Week, with fleets as diverse as the White Group, for dayboats such as the Squib and Flying Fifteen, to more quirky local classes such as the Solent Sunbeam, Victory and Mermaid.

In this opening video, Yachting World’s racing and technical editor, Matthew Sheahan, gives an overview to the first day of racing and talks to longtime competitor Richard Matthews. The founder of Oyster Yachts is racing in his 40th Cowes Week, was expecting light winds, and had a plan…

Check out all the latest news, galleries and video of Cowes Week 2015 at our special area: yachtingworld.com/cowes-week