10-08-2025
Final-race drama and clear skies wrap up Cowes Week in style
Cowes Week 2025 concluded in classic style on Friday (August 9) with spinnakers flying downwind and sunshine welcoming fleets across the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line.
The week delivered a full range of conditions – from gusty winds and choppy seas to flat calms – testing the skills and adaptability of competitors across all classes.
The final day began calmly but soon saw steady breezes, enabling all classes to get away cleanly.
Among the early finishers was the H Boat Weerga, skippered by Ali and Jochem Visser, claiming her second win.
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Wight Wedding followed closely, securing the overall IRC7 title, while Final Warning took second.
Consistency proved crucial throughout the week.
The overall Cowes Week winner was the XOD Astralita, helmed by John Tremlett, with five wins and a second.
In Black Group, Sam Laidlaw's BLT dominated IRC6 with an unbroken string of victories, showcasing the benefits of long-standing crew cohesion.
In the larger boats, the TP52 Braveheart edged out Van Uden-Rost 3 in IRC Zero.
Among the Cape 31s, Bullit sealed the title by winning the final race by just one second.
In IRC1, Tokoloshe 4 posted a near-flawless scoreline, while Bedouin's Women's Day win earned helm Linda Goddard the Ariel Trophy.
Tight competition defined several classes.
In the Daring fleet, Dauntless edged out Doublet in a final-race showdown.
The Sunbeam and IRC2 fleets also saw thrilling battles, with Sky and Leon emerging victorious after week-long duels.
Other class standouts included Tigger in Sportsboats, Bluebottle in Dragons, and Sheen in Seaview Mermaids.
The Contessa 32 class highlighted intergenerational sailing, with Drumbeat winning overall and Mary Rose Tudor's young crew earning the Musto Young Skipper's and Under 25 trophies.
As the week wrapped with ceremonies at the Royal Yacht Squadron and Cowes Yacht Haven, attention turned to 2026 – Cowes Week's 200th anniversary.
Organisers promise a spectacular celebration, with royal yachts, fireworks and potentially the return of the Red Arrows to mark two centuries of world-class sailing.
