Cowes Week!
There aren’t many sailors who haven’t heard of Cowes Week or had a go at one time or another!
The annual event consists of around 1000 boats and 8000 competitors. Up to 40 daily races makes it the largest regatta of its kind in the world. The event has been running Since 1826 making the regatta over 180 years old. Competitors range from Olympic and world class professionals. Talking of world class, Musto P&B Race teams Ben McGrane will be taking part again this year in the XOD fleet. Look out for the P&B sails.
Cowes week hosts events for a diverse array of classes, ranging from Flying Fifteens to J class yachts. Spectators from all over come to watch the spectacle & enjoy the unique atmosphere.
The XOD class is one of the longest running and the biggest fleet at Cowes week, it takes some winning but who doesn’t like a challenge! The fleet has many great sailors taking part such as the Jardine brothers Stuart & Ado who have both sailed at Olympic level with Ado winning bronze in the Mexico1968 games, if you are ahead of them you know you are doing well.
At P&B we recommend the
“Micronet Race Master T070” The ultimate tactical race compass. With its two-tier display shows your heading, how far you are above or below the mean course, and how much you are being headed or lifted. It will enable you to establish quickly and easily which is the favoured end of the start line, and will help you sail the shortest distance to the windward mark. Downwind, you can see how far off dead downwind you are, and when you should gybe!
To be protected from the spray and chop you may encounter out on in the Solent we recommend
musto BR1, which at present we have available as a package deal and you can’t go wrong with the
gill OS2 which is aimed at coastal and channel sailing. Both styles are versatile, capable of standing up to the toughest conditions that the Solent may throw at you keeping you dry and comfortable and focused on the race and not the damp trickling down your neck.
At Cowes week you will hopefully experience our lovely summer sunshine, out on the water you're exposed to 40% more UV than on the land. The need for sun protection can’t be overstated.
The musto fast dri Brimmed hat is perfect in prevention of burnt ears and necks.The Musto fast dry crew cap is our favourite and comes in a multitude of colours, clips on to your sailing kit so it’s hard to lose and even in the chop and spray it dries in minutes! P&B’s best selling summer headwear is the Zhik Visor. Uber cool, it keeps the sun off the face without heating your head.