The cream of the world's Big Class yachts in Cowes

Big Class yachts Eleonora, Mariette and Mariquita created a breathtaking sight for the spectators on Cowes Parade and Princes Green as the yachts prepared for their Westward Cup race start on the Royal Yacht Squadron line.

The second running of the Westward Cup commenced on the water on Tuesday, 12 June at 1100, bringing together the cream of the world’s Big Class yachts in a blaze of excitement and anticipation of some great racing in Solent waters for the owners and their guests.

As the boats set off they made a stunning sight powering up under full sail in a northerly breeze of 15-18 knots and heading off into the western Solent with Mariette as the front runner. The course of 29 nautical miles saw the fleet experience variable wind speeds with winds decreasing severely as the race progressed and Eleonora fell behind with Mariette and Mariquita enjoying a spot of match racing.

David Aisher, Principal Race Officer, commented after the racing: “Conditions were terrific first thing, but the wind went left, later abated and was recorded at 5 knots at one point which made it a struggle for the largest boat in the fleet, Eleonora.”

Mariquita took line honours, closely followed by Mariette with Eleonora third.

On corrected time, the final positions after Day One are:
1. Mariette
2. Mariquita
3. Eleonora

More information on the Westward Cup can be found on the Royal Yacht Squadron website.

Photos by Chris Boynton. See more Westward Cup photos on the COWES.co.uk Facebook page.