Skandia Cowes Week, one of the world’s largest regattas, is taking place in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England from the 2-9 August 2003. So far over 800 entries have been received and the organisers tell us that with three weeks to go still, late entries are flowing in.

Racing kicks off on Saturday from the Royal Yacht Squadron start line on the Saturday (2 August) and the 36 classes will race throughout the week on courses set within the Solent. One of the largest fleets with nearly 80 boats is the XOD class. And to make life easier for the race officer and competitors alike the committee has decided to set a special line from a committee boat to ensure a windward start. Stuart Quarrie, Cowes Combined Clubs Director commented: “Because this is such a huge fleet and slower than most other boats racing, we have to try and avoid 75 or so boats all reaching the first mark at the same time. If any other dayboat class reaches the same level of entries, then CCC might consider introducing this option to them!”

Due to fleet expansion, the 1720 and Laser SB3 will each have their own class this year rather racing within the Sportsboat fleet. Early indications show that there’ll be at least 20 1720s and possibly over 15 SB3s. New for this year also is the J-Spirit class (formerly IRC Bowsprit) open exclusively to all J-Boats with bowsprits. The J/92 will be using the first four days of the event as its national championship within the J-Sprit handicap class.

For the first three days of the regatta IRM will have its own class starts after which it will then join in the IRC fleet. The overall winner of the IRM class will be awarded the Delta Trophy in addition to the usual overall IRM prize.

Entries to the regatta are still being accepted via on-line entry. Log on to cowesweek2.co.uk for more details.