ENTRIES for the 13th Cowes Classics Week regatta is now open. 

The 2020 regatta, organised by The Royal London Yacht Club, is scheduled to take place from Saturday, July 25 to Friday, July 31, with racing from the Monday onwards.

The notice of race is now available to download from the Cowes Classics Week website: www.cowesclassicsweek.org

Regatta organisers hope to attract a wide range of classic yachts, from metre boats, and classic racing dayboats to classic yachts, Old Gaffers and Spirit of Tradition yachts. 

The XOD category in the dayboat classes, which regularly attracts over 50 entries, is expected to be the largest fleet once again, with numbers expected to increase in the vintage dragon class. 

New for this year, as part of Thursday's racing, will be Cowes Classics Day.

It will include a display of over 50 classic cars on the parade, together with exhibits from the Cowes Classic Boat Museum and classic power boats on the London Landing and RYS Yacht Haven.

Regatta chairman, David Gower, said: “The Royal London Yacht Club intends to run the event as planned. 

"However, the well-being of our staff, volunteers and competitors is paramount, so we will be closely monitoring the situation and, if required, will cancel the regatta.

"In the event we do cancel the event, all entry fees and social event costs will be refunded in full. 

"To avoid any doubt, we will not postpone the event.

"If we are unable to continue on July 25, the next regatta will be in 2021.”