The upcoming August Bank Holiday weekend (26th-27th August) will see the world’s most prestigious offshore powerboat race, The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes, return for the 57th year.
The race covers a distance of 190 nautical miles and sees powerboats reaching a staggering average speed of up to 94mph as they blast down the Solent and along the South Coast and back again.
Cowes is recognized as the birthplace of international powerboat racing. It is therefore fitting that every year some of the biggest, brightest, loudest and most powerful boats in the world assemble to re-enact the famous race from Cowes to Torquay then turn around and race back from Torquay to Cowes where the first race was hosted in 1961.
Dawn in Cowes will break to the sound of roaring engines and activity on the water will be evident from approximately 08:45 when the 18 boat racing fleet will parade pass Cowes Green before mustering to the east of the Cowes Harbour entrance. Race boats will then pass at speed in a convoy past the Snowden sailing mark before starting the actual race to the sound of the cannon between The Royal Yacht Squadron line and the north of Gurnard North Cardinal Buoy at 09:30. The main race will be followed by the popular Cowes-Poole-Cowes race start at 09:45.
Depending on the conditions, the fastest boats should appear back in the Solent from 15:00 for a finish off the Gurnard North Cardinal Mark at Egypt Point.
The races forms 2 parts of the RYA National Marathon Championship with the Cowes to Torquay being RYA National Marathon Championship (Heat 3) plus UIM International Ordinary Race. The Torquay to Cowes being RYA National Marathon Championship (Heat 4) and UIM International Ordinary Race.
Event Director Martin Levi commented:
“It should be a fabulous weekend, the Cowes Torquay Cowes is a World renowned International powerboat race, we have drivers and teams from Belgium, Italy, Poland, Ireland, and the USA”.
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Viewing Places and Times
Cowes-Torquay-Cowes
09:30 and 15:00-17:30- Egypt Point, Isle of Wight
09:35-10:00 and 14:45-17:30 – Hurst Castle
09:35-10:00 and 14:45-17:30 – Fort Victoria, Isle of Wight
09:40-10:10 – Bournemouth & Boscombe Piers
09:55-11:35 and 14:30-17:15 – Anvil Point
09:55-11:35 and 14:30-17:15 – St Albans Head
10:00-11:45 and 14:30-17:00 – Portland Bill
10:45-12:40 and 14:00-14:30 – Berry Head
10:45-12:40 and 14:00-14:30 – Daddyhole Plain, Torquay
10:30-14:00 Haldon Pier, Torquay
Cowes – Poole – Cowes
09:45 and 10:20-12:00 – Egypt Point, Isle of Wight
09:50-12:00 – Hurst Castle
09:50-12:00 – Fort Victoria, Isle of Wight
09:50-11:00 – Bournemouth & Boscombe Piers
*All timings are approximate and subject to change depending on weather conditions Access to the Cowes Yacht Haven, Cowes and the pontoons at Haldon Pier, Torquay is limited to race crews and officials.
To find out more check out the Race Website at www.cowestorquaycowes.co.uk.
