ENTRY OPEN FOR BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK 2026
Taking place from 20th to 25th July at Cowes Yacht Haven, the UK’s leading classic and modern classic yacht regatta continues to thrive as it heads into its 23rd year on the water.
Once again, the regatta committee has taken onboard the feedback from last year’s event as we continually refine and improve to deliver the best experience for sailors and guests.
This year, Race Officer Peter Saxton and his team at the Royal Yacht Squadron will see yachts compete in a five-race series of short inshore and longer, challenging courses.
The week kicks off with round the cans racing sponsored by long-time regatta support Spirit Yachts, and welcome drinks at the iconic Royal Yacht Squadron in the evening – always a memorable way to start the week, meet new faces, and catch up with old friends.
Tuesday brings the Long Inshore Race, sponsored by OneSails GBR. The OneSails team will once again be providing a sail service centre throughout the regatta, and they are offering a generous 20% off Dacron and white 4T Forte sails (OneSails’ high performance, fully recyclable sail membrane) for regatta entrants only. *See below for details.
With every year of the regatta, our Female and Youth helm race (sponsored by Marineware and Awlgrip) grows in popularity and the competition on the water is fierce. We look forward to the exciting time pursuit format race on the Wednesday, before the famous ‘Open Yachts Pontoon Party’ at Cowes Yacht Haven in the evening.
Thursday sees Race 4 sponsored by Pantaenius Sail & Motor Yacht Insurance, followed by the Regatta Dinner and prize giving for our many traditional regatta trophies and prizes.
As ever, the programme has been designed around the tides, which means this year’s Around the Island race for the ‘offshore-capable yachts’ falls on Friday. We will retain the inshore racing for the “Solent” group (fast day-racers and lower handicapped boats. The week will round off with prize giving for the racing trophies and dockside drinks.
Valued sponsor and Cowes-based TOIO clothing will once again be offering a free embroidered jacket for each yacht, as well as their range of quality crew clothing, please contact their team directly once you have entered.
We are also grateful for continued support from Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Classic Marine, Broadfield Law, and Classic Boat magazine. Tall Ships Youth Trust returns for a fourth year as our charity partner, please give anything you can to help get young people out on the water.
The days are getting longer and lighter and before we know it the laying up season will be over, so make haste with those winter boat jobs and let’s get ready to go sailing!