Cowes Harbour, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England
Cowes Harbour, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England (© LyonesseImages/Alamy Stock Photo)
A sail-ebration
Ahoy, sailing enthusiasts and landlubbers alike! Cowes Week is here, promising a wave of excitement from July 27 to August 2. Held annually since 1826, this regatta takes place on the Solent, the strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland. The event was started by the Royal Yacht Squadron, and it has grown over the years. Today, Cowes Week sees around 7,000 competitors in some 750 boats. From Olympic champions to weekend sailors, everyone is here to show off their sailing skills. There are as many as 40 races a day, catering to different classes of boats, from high-tech racing yachts to classic wooden sailboats.
© LyonesseImages/Alamy Stock Photo