The 200th edition of Cowes Week is hours away, with an entry list of 641 boats already confirmed, the biggest turnout in recent history.
Thirty-six classes are represented, covering yachts of all sizes, speeds, and ages. North Sails Cowes Week is shaping up to be a bumper edition, and the long hot Solent summer is only adding to it.
The pontoons are filling, crews are working through sail wardrobes and sailing instructions, and the hospitality is well underway. The music has started and the beer is flowing.
The shoreside programme matches the scale of the occasion. The legendary fireworks return on Friday 7th August, live music will fill virtually every corner of Cowes throughout the week, and Women's Day, Youth Day, and an aerobatic display are all on the card. That's just for starters.
