The organisers of Skandia Cowes Week are hailing 2004 as a record entry ‘even’ year – that is a year in which there is also a Cork Week and no Fastnet Race taking place. However, the world’s oldest and largest sailing regatta kicks off on 7 August with only a small number of Mumm 30 entries on the start line.

After discussion between Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC) and the Mumm 30 class, CCC has decided to amalgamate the Mumm 30s into IRC class 2. This has been done in accordance with NoR 3.4.2(c) that allows CCC to amalgamate classes if the average number of entries per day is less than 10.

This move left a spare slot during the Black Group start sequence. To fill this gap, and following consultation with the West Solent One Design (WSOD) class, CCC has moved the WSODs from their previously published joint start with the Solent Sunbeams in White Group, to the newly vacated ex-Mumm 30 starting position.

Although the WSODs are designated dayboats, their size – at over 34ft loa – actually makes them a natural fit for the Black Group. Some of them have engines while others have ribs available, ensuring that they will be able to get to the three scheduled committee vessel starts.

These changes are reflected in the updated table of start times on the event website (select Racing and Start times from the menus). A formal amendment to the SIs will be issued shortly to tie up the loose ends.