From ACL Surgery to Spinnaker Spirals; how our SYC Youth Team got on at Cowes
Preparing for Cowes Week
After an exhausting and exciting week, we came home from Cowes Week Bicentenary Regatta with many lifelong memories. Cowes Week tested our existing sailing ability and allowed us the opportunity to improve immensely over the week. We took a team of 9 sailors in three boats, Geronimo, Josh and Krak-on.
In the run up to Cowes Week, we prepared hard, from hours of sanding and antifouling our Sonars to intense theory sessions. Holly, one of our skippers, even required ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair surgery just 12 weeks before the regatta. She was told her dream of sailing at Cowes Week 200 was impossible and went through serious physio before she could even begin thinking of getting back on the water.
The Journey from Shoreham to Cowes
Further challenges were presented in the form of eleven and twelve-hour delivery times from Shoreham, including getting one of our boats, Geronimo, stuck on Ryde Sands (more than once!).
Thankfully, we had a day of rest and recovery before the week of racing began and by Saturday we were ready and raring to go. All the effort was worth it to see more than 640 boats jostling for position. We were quickly revived with the booming energy of the Royal Yacht Squadron start.
Ready for Cowes Week 200
Sleeping in tents pitched on a hill was certainly an experience! Our nightly sing-alongs made up for the sore sides and slightly sleepy start.
Life on and off the Water
It was our first time sailing competitively on the Solent and a steep learning curve. We were amazed at how close the yachts could get to the shore, very different to sailing in Shoreham.
We were even close enough to hear shouts of "Starboard!" and "Protest!" from so many boats (especially our own). In fact, some of the highlights for the week were interacting with the larger yachts looming over us.
Spinnakers, Close Racing and a Few Challenges
Another highlight was in one of the spinnaker legs. It was almost too windy and we found ourselves overtaking two of the Island Sailing Club boats – it was awesome to be that close in the fleet.
Unfortunately, this moment was just before the disaster of our spinnaker getting stuck up the mast, which forced us to retire on Ladies Day.
The Spirit of the SYC Youth Team
Most importantly, the strong community of sailors inside and outside of SYC helped us to feel at home and welcome. Everyone we met had a smile on their faces and were unbelievably generous with their knowledge, time and expertise.
Even on the down days when we were waiting on AP, we still managed to have singalongs and fun on the pontoon and members’ stationary yachts.
Cowes Week 200 has given us memories that we’ll be talking about for years to come. From the highs of close racing and flying spinnakers to the challenges we faced along the way, every sailor came away having learnt something new. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us, both before we left Shoreham and while we were in Cowes, and we can’t wait to see where our next sailing adventure takes us.
Posted: September 2nd 2026
