Racing kicked off dramatically yesterday (Monday, July 29), with the fastest yachts at the regatta starting close inshore and manoeuvring only a few boat lengths from the beach!
Well powered up in the south-easterly breeze, the vessels headed east from the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) line.
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The spectacle repeated for the following 20 classes that started on the RYS line, across various craft from 65ft Black Group yachts to the 20ft Flying 15 keelboats and the 113-year-old XOD fleet.
Yesterday was also Charity Day, highlighting the work of the Regatta’s charities, The Tall Ships Youth Trust and RNLI, with several onshore events and demonstrations.
There are also some charities with boats competing throughout the regatta.
The Weekend Warriors Trophy, presented to the best scoring Club Cruiser entered in only the first three days of the Regatta, was won by Ali McGregor's Poncin 44 Sprint, with Peter Dickson and Andrew Yates' First 25.7 Star-Born 4 second and Geoffrey Yeowart's Baltic 35 Karelia third.
Racing continues today (Tuesday, day four), which is again forecast to be hot and sunny, with lighter winds.
It's also Women's Day at the Regatta, which celebrates the achievements of the many female sailors in the sport.
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