Fleet enjoy pure gold at Cowes Week 2026

The 200th edition of North Sails Cowes Week showcased heavy British summer sailing in the Solent, with HRH The Princess Royal firing the starting cannons and more than 640 boats racing after a calm start and then classic conditions. After Day 1’s gentle, glass-like delay, winds built and mid-week brought a “Big Wednesday” low-pressure system. For the SB20 fleet, competition intensified after fresh momentum from the Open UK Nationals, with over 20 boats—its largest group in nearly a decade—using the Grand Slam and Mini Slam formats. Key moments included incidents, tight point battles featuring Nils Razmilovic and Mark Gillett, and a strong final day by Jono Shelley. The article continues beyond the visible cutoff.