Celebrating Two-Hundred Years of International Yachting
The Royal Yacht Squadron – is one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. Its clubhouse is Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. Member yachts are given the Suffix RYS to their names, and permitted to fly the White Ensign of the Royal Navy[1] rather than the merchant Red Ensign flown by the majority of other UK registered vessels. The club’s patron is Queen Elizabeth II and the club’s admiral is Prince Philip who is also a former club commodore.
July 26-31, 2015 – Cowes – RYS – This year the Royal Yacht Squadron, founded in 1815, achieves its bicentenary. To mark the occasion, the Squadron will host an invitational regatta to bring together as many clubs and friends as possible from around the globe, who share their common interests and love of sailing.
The Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary International Regatta will be the highlight of a calendar of celebrations being held throughout the bicentenary year and will take place in the Solent from the 25th – 31st July 2015.
Twenty five yacht clubs have been invited to take part and will join the Royal Yacht Squadron for five days of spectacular racing in a 200-strong fleet, including modern and classic boats racing under IRC, J/70s, Beneteau F40s and up to five J-Class yachts.
“Our aim is to make sure owners and crews will leave at the end of the event with many happy memories. Participation in the International Bicentennial Regatta will help forge stronger ties between our clubs.”
Christopher Sharples, Commodore, Royal Yacht Squadron.
Yachts Entered Vintage Designed in or Before 1967
From the schooner Eleonora at 160′ to the two 8 metre yachts Helen and Enchantement born 1936 and 1923 respectively, the event has been a magnet for the most immaculate and competitive classics in Europe and beyond. Several, including Dorade herself, have racing across the Atlantic from Newport, Rhode Island, to take part in the regatta.
1897 – Jap – Type: Cork Harbour One Design – Designed by: William Fife III
1903 – Kelpie – Type: Solent 38 One Design – Designed by: Alfred Mylne
1904 – Mikado – Type: Gaff Rigged Cutter (original) – Designed by: William Fife III
1910 – Eleonora – Type: Gaff Rigged Schooner – Designed by: N.G. Herreshoff (2000 exact replica)
1911 – Mariquita – Type: Gaff Rigged Cutter – Designed by: William Fife III
1930 – Dorade – Type: Yawl – Designed by: Olin Stephens
1933 – Velsheda – Type: J-Class – Designed by: Charles Nicholson
1934 – Stormy Weather – Type: Yawl – Designed by: Olin Stephens
1936 – Bojar – Type: F Class – Designed by Johans Anker
1938 – Tomahawk – Type: Yawl – Designed by S&S
1938 – Cereste – Type: 10 Tonner – Designed by: Robert Clark
1939 – Whooper – Type: Sloop – Designed by: Jack Laurent Giles
1947 – Infanta – Type: Yawl – Designed by: Philip Rhodes
1947 – Croix des Garde – Type: Sloop – Designed by: Henri Dervin
1948 – Argyll – Type: Yawl – Designed by: S&S
1949 – Gulvain – Type: Sloop – Designed by: Jack Laurent Giles
1957 – Cetewayo – Type: Bermudian Sloop – Designed by: Laurent Giles
8mR Class Yachts
1923 – Enchantement IV – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Johan Anker
1928 – Osborne – Type: 8mR – Designed by: William Fife III
1930 – IF – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Bjarne Aas
1931 – Saskia – Type: 8mR – Designed by: William Fife III
1939 – Athena – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Tore Holm
1949 – Erica – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Bjarne Aas
J-Class Yachts
1933 – Velsheda – Designed by: Charles E. Nicholson
2004 – Ranger – Designed by: Sparkman & Stephens (exact replica)
2010 – Lionheart – Designed by Starling Burgess/Olin Stephens (77-F)
The Yacht Clubs
The following Yacht Clubs have been invited to send representatives to the Bicentennial Regatta, reflecting the historical reach of the Royal Yacht Squadron around the yachting world and lending a truly international flavour to the event.
Celebrations Ashore
As well a packed programme of sailing, which will be watched by spectators ashore and afloat, the regatta also features a varied social programme for those taking part, including an Opening Reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron, individual Class dinners throughout the week and an RYS Bicentenary Regatta Grand Party at Osborne House.
The event will also include a display by the Red Devil parachute display team on Friday 31st July.
The Event Schedule
Saturday 25th July
Registration at Regatta House
The regatta office is located at 18 Bath Road, which is on the parade opposite Trinity Landing.
North U Regatta Services on the water for Practice racing
Open to all classes
Sunday 26th July
Registration at Regatta House
The Regatta Office is located at 18 Bath Road, which is on Cowes Parade, opposite Trinity Landing.
North U Regatta Services on the water for practice racing with J/70’s
Skippers’ briefing
Location: Royal Yacht Squadron
Opening Reception
SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list
Commodore’s Dinner
Location: Royal Yacht Squadron (by invitation)
Monday 27th July
Team Racing – first flights
IRC & Level Rating class racing commences
Team Racing – second flights
North U Regatta Services post-racing analysis at the Cowes Yacht Haven
Immediately after racing (more info).
North Sails presents “History in the Making”
A panel discussion hosted by Ken Read featuring Sir Ben Ainslie, Sam Davies and Jimmy Spithill (more info). Entry is free and open to all competitors.
RORC incorporating Royal Corinthian: “Tastes of the Isle of Wight”
£22.00 per person. Dress code smart/casual (more details available here)
RYS Pavilion Social for the Classics
(booking form available here)
RYS Dinner for the Classics
(booking form available here)
Tuesday 28th July
Team Racing – first flights
IRC and Level Rating class racing commences
Team Racing – second flights
North U Regatta Services post-racing analysis at the Cowes Yacht Haven
Immediately after racing (more info).
Island Sailing Club: Supper
£10 for one course, £14 for two. Dress code sailing clothes or casual but not sailing boots or oilies. Email: lea@islandsc.org.uk
RYS Pavilion Social for the J/70 Team Racing class
(booking form available here)
RYS Dinner for the Level Rating class
(booking form available here)
Wednesday 29th July
Around the Island Race for IRC, Level Rating and others
Team Racing – first flights
Regatta Supporters’ Brunch at Ventnor Botanical Gardens
(click here for booking form)
Team Racing – second flights
North U Regatta Services post-racing analysis at the Cowes Yacht Haven
Immediately after racing (more info).
Royal London YC Bicentenary Regatta Supper
£29.50. Dress code “smart” (for more details see here)
RYS Pavilion Social for the IRC Class
SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list
RYS Dinner for the IRC Class
SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list
Thursday 30th July
Team Racing – first flights
IRC and Level Rating class racing commences
Team Racing – second flights
Friday 31st July
Team Racing – semi finals, petit finals and finals
IRC and Level Rating class racing commences
Closing Reception for all at RYS with display by Red Devils
SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list