The race regularly attracts over 1,400 boats and around 15,000 sailors, making it one of the largests yacht races in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs.
Cowes Classics Week is all about racing traditional yachts on the water and enjoying fabulous social events ashore. Metre boats, Classic Racing Dayboats, Classic Yachts, Old Gaffers and Spirit of Tradition Yachts are all welcome to sail varied courses set in the Solent with free high teas, great value parties and suppers at different club venues.
Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar since 1826 and is one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events. It now stages up to 40 daily races for around 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.
This race is on every sailor’s bucket list, and for good reason, as it challenges the mental and physical abilities of crews and the technical abilities of yachts. To complete this race is an achievement in itself!
Folkboat Week started in Yarmouth in 1966 and has run every year since. The regatta was born as a result of Cowes Week organisers refusing a fleet entry due to lack of numbers in the 1960's. However, since its inception, Folkboat Week has grown in popularity with large Folkboat fleets based in Lymington and Yarmouth.
