solenthandbook.com 41 SOLENT EVENTS DIARY SOLENT EVENTS DIARY RSYC CONTESSA REGATTA 2024 31 May – 2 June The second annual all-Contessa Regatta will take place once again at the Royal Solent Yacht, incorporating the Contessa 26 and 28 Nationals and Contessa 32s Inshore Points Series. The RSYC is planning a fantastic programme off the water; lead sponsors Louis Jadot and Jeremy Rogers Ltd, along with supporting sponsor Hall Hunter, will be providing sustenance for the sailors over the weekend, and on Saturday night Island band ‘The Accelerators’ will be playing in the Clubhouse. There will be three races on Saturday and two on Sunday, which will be followed by the prizegiving back at the RSYC. Winning boats in each class will be presented with a Magnum of Louis Jadot Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent, and the overall winner will be awarded a Jeroboam. The title sponsor is Jeremy Rogers Ltd, home of the Contessa, and prizes will be presented by Jeremy’s widow Fiona. COWES CLASSICS WEEK 7 July – 12 July The 16th edition of Cowes Classics Week runs from 7 to 12 July 2024 with racing commencing on Monday 8th July. Organised by The Royal London Yacht Club, it has become the largest classic yacht regatta in the world and offers a different racing and social experience to other Cowes regattas. Class racing for all metre boats, classic racing keelboats and one designs including, but not restricted to, 12mR, 8mR, 6mR (classic and modern), 5.5mR, Daring, Dragon (classic and modern), Solent Sunbeam, Bembridge Redwing, Seaview Mermaid, Squib, XOD, Folkboat, Victory, Bembridge, Loch Long and Yarmouth One Designs, Flying Fifteen and Swallow. There are also classes for Classic Yachts including a non-spinnaker class, Classical/Revival Day Boats, S&S Swans and Old Gaffers. Typically the one-design dayboats have two races a day from committee boats with windward-leeward courses and some round-the-cans courses, satisfying their keenly competitive spirit. Handicap classes and larger yachts on the other hand will have one longer, round-the- cans race around the Solent each day, creating great opportunities to gain an edge with the varying winds and currents. A full social calendar of after-racing activity, including the legendary daily afternoon tea and cakes at the clubhouse, adds to the fun and social atmosphere of the week. Cowes Classics Day on Sunday 7 July is open to competitors and visitors alike and free to attend. Visitors will see classic cars and classic power boats joining the classic yachts, creating a wonderful spectacle for like-minded enthusiasts of all things classic. cowesclassicsweek.org RSYC Contessa Regatta, Christian Beasley