The Cowes – Torquay – Cowes race covers a distance of 190 nautical miles
The Cowes – Torquay – Cowes race covers a distance of 190 nautical miles. The course record speed was set in 2015 by Peter Dredge, Simon Powell, Mal Crease and David Gandy driving Vector Martini Rosso at a staggering average speed of 94.55 mph.
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.
The format is a bonus for powerboat racing fans on the mainland as it provides a chance for viewing of the boats from Torquay’s Haldon Pier between the races. Access to the pontoons will be limited to officials and race teams but drivers will meet with spectators on the pier.
There are also several vantage points on the headlands of the South Coast of England and Torquay Bay where fans can watch the boats both arrive in Torquay and race back toward Cowes.
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.
The fastest race boats should be approaching Berry Head by 10.30 am and will continue on northward to a mark at the Ore Stone before turning and heading into the finish off Haldon Pier at Torquay. At Torquay the boats will form up and parade past Haldon Pier at 13.00 before lining up for the race start back to Cowes at 14.00pm.
Depending on the conditions the fastest boats should appear back in the Solent from three for a finish off the Gurnard North Cardinal Mark at Egypt Point.
Excellent viewing opportunities
The boats will be located at the wet pits at each end of the race course and excellent viewing opportunities will be available for spectators. Remember to allow enough time to get back to your favourite vantage point once the boats start their engines.
The drivers are keen to meet with their fans, which will include two legendary offshore racing drivers from the United States, one is three times Cowes winner Richie Powers who with Charlie McCarthy will be travelling over to be part of 2017 ‘Dry Martini’ Cigarette racing team.
However from a safety perspective we have to change the way this interaction takes place so this year there will not be access to the pontoon and the best place to chat with the race crew is at the Pier above the pits, or the hard standing pits where teams will be parked up on their impressive trailers.
The races form two 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.”
