iShares Cup Cowes

Home of the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, is the birthplace of the America's Cup and hosts the oldest annual regatta, Cowes Week, during which the UK round of the iShares Cup will take place once again this year.

In 1826, the first edition of what was to become Cowes Week was organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron, and the tricky emerald green waters of the Solent soon became a playground of choice for yachtsmen. The town's preserved charm and welcoming facilities are a coveted haven for visiting crews, and numerous spots along the seafront close to Cowes Castle, home of the Squadron, offer spectators a good view of the action. In Cowes, everything is about sailing and no less than 9 yacht clubs are to be found despite the town's modest size - the population usually doubles (from 16 000 to more than 30 000 people) during the sailing week in early August! World-class racing and great onshore entertainment definitely are on the menu, with more than 1000 boats on the various race courses.

Ten teams will be racing 40 foot catamarans on short and demanding courses just meters from the shore. Olympians, World Champions and America's Cup sailors will battle it out in Europe's leading sailing circuit.

All the action takes place between 1st and 3rd of August with racing each afternoon between 14h30 and 17h30.

Race-Trax will be tracking the boats every day and providing information to race management and organisers.