Despite the fact that there were no end-of-week celebrations, with fireworks and the Red Arrows absent from this year’s event, Cowes Week 2022 still proved a popular hit among locals and tourists alike.
For competitors and spectators alike the Musto Bar in Cowes Yacht Haven was a popular place to meet up. It was run by an Island licensee who employs Island bar staff and sources the drinks from Island Ales. Additionally, Wight Gold Beer and Yachtsman Ale were available in the marquee/bar which itself was sourced from Island firm SDC thus helping several Isle of Wight companies. Also in Cowes Yacht Haven were food and gift outlets in addition to the entertainment stage.
On the sailing scene, this year saw 125 years of the Redwings hailing mostly from Bembridge. They have raced in Cowes Week since 1920. Next year the classic wooden design Sunbeams celebrate their centenary. Each boat bears a name ending in “Y”.
2022 sees the 50th anniversary of the death of Uffa Fox and there will be celebrations of Uffa’s life and work from the 18th to the 21st of August across Cowes and East Cowes. During Cowes Week ‘The Commodores House’ off the High Street housed its own exhibition which was open to the public over four days enabling them to see where Uffa lived. Best known for yacht racing with the late Prince Philip Uffa designed the Flying Fifteen in 1947. Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club will host the Flying Fifteen European Championships between the 20th and 26th August.
From Monday to Saturday the Royal Navy provided HMS Severn as a Guard Ship. There was also a Royal Navy stand in the regatta village for young people to see what the Navy has to offer as a career.
Northwood Park proved a popular venue with the Northwood House Trust volunteers serving teas on the lawn and the Lawn Lounge hosting refreshment stands- So Much Dough selling their variety of pizzas Isle of Wight meat in burgers from Captain Pizza and wine from Penfolds with the Chardonnay a particular favourite. Although there was no large-scale Gin Festival this year visitors were offered eight different Gins and the Mermaid Gin Garden was a delightful space away from the sailing action.
During the Week Mermaid Gin hosted, cocktail making with the chance for the public to discover their cocktail shaking talents, sampling of their products and a Q & A session led by the four distillers.
Produced on the Island, Mermaid Gin has had a meteoric rise since it was first distilled on the 1st of August 2015. Currently sales are 12,000 bottles a week and it is available nationwide in the UK and 28 countries around the World. This island firm now employs 38 staff and Mermaid Zest introduced in June 2022 had an initial run of 10.000 bottles-these sold out in just three weeks, but more Zest followed.
Pip Hare solo round the World racing sailor was awarded the Cowes Week Women’s Day Trophy at a presentation in the RORC Clubhouse. This trophy recognises the outstanding contribution, commitment, and achievements of women in sailing. Pip received the trophy from Captain Catherine Jordan RN. Pip rose to fame in the 2020/21 Vendee Globe non-stop solo Round the World Race. Having started as an underdog in one of the oldest boats in the fleet, she out-performed many newer boats in this gruelling competition. The Women’s Day Trophy (previously The Ladies Day Trophy) was introduced in 2006. It champions the role of women in sailing and during Cowes Week more than one-third of competitors are female.
As ever The Parade Village, Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Marina were popular with sailors after racing as well as the public. Boats with staff handing out Mermaid Gin and Cocktails from Mount Gay Rum were at the finish line following some races.
Stands offering a great variety of goods, food outlets and bars were along The Parade. Island-made and produced goods were housed in one of the larger marquees and a charming wine garden was the venue for Uncommon which sells wine in a can! Through Cowes High Street there was entertainment including a group of Mountbatten entertainers outside the charity shop.
At the final prizegiving on Friday Results were as follows:
- Black Group- 1 SCHERZO OF COWES Peter & Alison Morton: 2 YES! Adam Gosling: 3 ZIGGY Kevin Downer.
- White Group-1 MEN BEHAVING BADLY Rupert Mander: 2 JENNY Simon Clarke: 3 ZILCH Nick Benham, Ian Perryman & Clive Good.
Not as popular as usual from what I saw – crowds were well down.
The fireworks and Red Arrows are key to thanking us locals for the influx of sailor types who take over the town.
People moan about fireworks and red arrows coz the noise upsets their dogs
So what exactly did Abu Dhabi bring to the party? A handful of any Sheikh’s small change would have transformed the finances.
Still, Cowes Week Ltd’s people will get a nice jolly to the Gulf in January.
A popular hit what bs. Locals and visitors alike were saying how disappointing the week was. In fact a lot of locals were stating how much of an embarrassment it was. Rubbish stalls that were an absolute rip off and as for the entertainment the least said the better
We were told yesterday by someone who was working down on the water that this year there were only 400 boats entered instead of a usual 1000 and the water taxi was very quiet. We went to the Folly Inn last week on a few days and it was very quiet.
It was rubbish. Hardly any stalls worthy of the name, selling grossly overpriced rubbish, ridiculous food prices (from those that actually bothered to display prices), and a drinks marquee that refused to take cash. I took my custom elsewhere and won’t bother going next year.
Worst one for years.
There were fireworks provided by Waverley Park Holiday Centre. It was an amazing display