Four days into North Sails Cowes Week 2026 and the racing delivered one of the event's more demanding tactical tests, with fleet after fleet picking their way up the Isle of Wight's rock-strewn shore on a second long beat that left little margin for error.
The breeze fell short of forecasts but, with wind and tide aligned, the water stayed flat and the racing was sharp. The western Solent's big-boat fleets generally get one easier beat up the mainland side, with its forgiving sand and mud bottom. Having to do it twice on the island side, dodging substantial rocks, was another matter entirely.
Racing in the Solent Sunbeam class went to Calypso and Sky.
There was also a British summer reminder: a shower arrived, did its worst, and cleared off before anyone had time to complain. By early evening the sun was back and crews made the most of it after another varied day on the water.
Day four was Women's Day at the regatta. Of the overall entries, 102 boats are helmed by women, around 20 per cent of the fleet, with a handful of all-women crews among them.
Devon's Gavia Wilkinson Cox is making her presence felt in the Dragon class, one of the most hotly-contested fleets at Cowes. Sailing Jerboa, she is currently lying third overall.
Among the international names, Lijia Xu brings serious credentials to the start line. She won Olympic gold for China at London 2012 and is now leading the all-women Magenta Project crew here before heading to the New York Yacht Club's invitational women's event in September, representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Jacinda Hamilton-Love is competing in only her second Cowes Week. Racing J/70 Lady Khumbu with a strong crew, she is focused on climbing the leaderboard and made her intentions clear today by scoring a first in one of the day's races.
Windy conditions are forecast for Wednesday. North Sails Cowes Week concludes on Friday 7 August.
