Hot competition at first Lendy Cowes Week

Lendy Cowes Week 2017, the first for the new loan services title sponsor, was a varied bag even by Cowes Week standards.

The creation of a new Sevenstar Triple Crown trophy series for maxi yachts and large ocean racers gave the week a big-boat focus, and drew out many of the largest Rolex Fastnet Race entrants such as the radically modified CQS.

A full fleet of Volvo 65s also competed in a mid-week race around the Isle of Wight in full-on conditions with gusts topping 40 knots and wind against tide creating a substantial sea state on the south side of the island. MAPFRE was first home, completing the 50-mile course in 3h 13m 11s, and setting a new outright monohull course record, beating the time held by the

The crew of the 1939 classic Whooper celebrate their overall win at Cowes Week

Z48 Isabel, the oldest Victory class boat (1948), won her class

The Volvo 65 MAPFRE set an outright around the Isle of Wight monohull record in full-on conditions

A classic sight at Cowes Week. The XOD fleet was won by John Tremlett’s Lass, X80 (pictured left)