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Cowes Week marks bicentenary with racing spectacle

Naj ModakSouth of England
News imageCowes Week Paul Wyeth A fleet of racing yachts sail with colourful sails raised during competition on the Solent.Cowes Week Paul Wyeth
Sailors from across the UK and beyond have gathered on the Isle of Wight

The annual Cowes Week regatta has brought racing, celebrations and crowds to the Solent.

This year's event has a special significance, marking 200 years since the first regatta was held.

Since racing began on Saturday, thousands of people have crossed to the Isle of Wight for the regatta's famous social scene, with sailors enjoying the week-long competition.

Here is a selection of images from this year's event in and around Cowes.

News imageCowes Week Martin Allen The Princess Royal with a dark top and green and white striped collar watches race operations from a control room overlooking the harbour.Cowes Week Martin Allen
The Princess Royal helped mark Cowes Week's bicentenary celebrations by firing the Royal Yacht Squadron's starting cannon during the opening weekend
News imageCowes Week Martin Allen A ceremonial cannon is fired from the waterfront as spectators watch from nearby.Cowes Week Martin Allen
Races are traditionally started by the cannon fired at the start and finish line outside the Royal Yacht Squadron
News imageCowes Week Martin Allen A large fleet of sailing yachts spread across the Solent during a race at Cowes Week.Cowes Week Martin Allen
Dozens of yachts took to the Solent as competitors gathered for one of sailing's best-known regattas
News imageCowes Week Paul Wyeth Two sailing boats race through choppy water, with spray rising from the waves as crew members sit on the edge of the hulls.Cowes Week Paul Wyeth
Crews battled for position in the opening days of racing as favourable conditions greeted competitors on the water
News imageCowes Week Paul Wyeth Crew members on a racing yacht lean over the side as the boat cuts through waves during a race.Cowes Week Paul Wyeth
Teamwork and quick decisions are key as crews navigate challenging conditions on the Solent
News imageCowes Week Martin Allen A traditional sailing yacht with crew members standing on deck as it travels across calm water.Cowes Week Martin Allen
Classic yachts have featured alongside modern racing boats as Cowes Week celebrates 200 years since the first regatta
News imageCowes Week Martin Allen Spectators seated and standing along a harbour wall watching activity on the water during Cowes Week.Cowes Week Martin Allen
Spectators gathered along the waterfront to watch the racing and enjoy the atmosphere in Cowes
News imageCowes Week Martin Allen Two people with cameras on a pebble beach watching sailing boats on the water, with waves breaking on the shoreline.Cowes Week Martin Allen
Photographers take the opportunity to capture some specatular shots of the racing

Racing continues until Friday when the 200th anniversary celebrations come to a climax with the return of the end-of-regatta fireworks display.

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