At the Heart of the Solent

SolentHandbook.com, incorporating Cowes Online, brings you compelling content, much of it unique, with sailing and boating news, multimedia, and all the information you need for visiting the area, sailing, boating, or racing in the Solent.

2013 RIOW start.jpg

The start of the 2013 Solo Offshore Racing Club's Solo Round the Isle of Wight Race on Saturday, 20 April.

The Solent Handbook & Directory 2013 is available now.

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Latest local, national and international news

The Solent Sunbeams at 90

Thu 16 May 2013 at 1725 BST

The Solent Sunbeams are regular visitors to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and, at 90 years old, they have plenty to celebrate this year.

Impala resurgence continues

Thu 16 May 2013 at 1329 BST

The Hunter Impala class will further establish their re-emergence as one of the premier one designs in the Solent this weekend, 18 and 19 May.

Island Sailing Club Evening Race Series

Thu 16 May 2013 at 1306 BST

On Tuesday, 14 May, 27 boats braved cold, wet and windy conditions in the fourth race of the Tuesday evening series.

Sail for Gold discounted entry fees

Thu 16 May 2013 at 1120 BST

Event organisers for the 2013 Sail For Gold Regatta are pleased to confirm that the early entry fee discount period, which was due to close on Friday, 10 May, will remain open until the final entry deadline of Friday, 31 May.

IRC Solent Region Championship Day 1

Thu 16 May 2013 at 1120 BST

The two Royal Clubs, Southampton (RSYC) and Southern (RSrnYC), combined to host the first event of this year's Championship.

Local effects of AAM Cowes Week

Tue 14 May 2013 at 1621 BST

Cowes Week Limited. organisers of AAM Cowes Week, is always keen to engage with companies on the IOW to ensure that business opportunities associated with the event benefit the Island as much as possible.

RYA Go Windsurfing! book for young people

Tue 14 May 2013 at 1604 BST

The RYA has launched the seventh book in its Go! series, RYA Go Windsurfing!, written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt.

Teams unveiled for Clipper 13-14

Tue 14 May 2013 at 1140 BST

Hundreds of crew members from all over the world united to discover which of the twelve professional skippers they will be racing with in the 2013-14 edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

RNLI Youth Supporter Award for Natasha

Tue 14 May 2013 at 1037 BST

Sailing around the Isle of Wight is a challenge for any mariner, but it was one that disabled sailor Natasha Lambert took on with gusto to raise money for the RNLI.

RSrnYC May Regatta Report

Tue 14 May 2013 at 1007 BST

Thrills, spills and a good turnout from the big boats for the Royal Southern Yacht Club's (RSrnYC) Summer Series May Regatta.

RYA Push The Boat Out weekend

Mon 13 May 2013 at 1652 BST

Win a visit to your club from a member of the British Sailing Team with Push The Boat Out.

Cowes Businesses Sonar Regatta Race Report

Mon 13 May 2013 at 1626 BST

On Wednesday, 8 May the Island Sailing Club hosted the first of its one night regattas for Cowes Businesses, in perfect sailing conditions.

ISC Evening Race Series Report

Mon 13 May 2013 at 1615 BST

On Tuesday, 7 May 62 boats turned out for the third race of the Island Sailing Club's (ISC) Tuesday evening race series.

Round the Island Race latest

Mon 13 May 2013 at 1554 BST

One of the most famous yacht races in the world, the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, attracts professional yachting's elite but is also the racing highlight for many amateur sailors.

Etchells 2013 European Championship

Fri 10 May 2013 at 1627 BST

The final results of the Etchells 2013 European Championship had the Razmilovic brothers split by James Howells in the top three spots.

Cowes Lifeboat rescues exhausted windsurfer

Fri 10 May 2013 at 1535 BST

The RNLI's life-saving role was really put to the test in a choppy Solent on Friday, 10 May when Cowes lifeboat rescued a windsurfer after an intensive 45 minute search.

Andrew Simpson

Fri 10 May 2013 at 1233 BST

We are saddened to learn of the death of double Olympic medallist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson on Thursday, 9 May.

Cowes Lifeboat call out for injured yachtsman

Wed 08 May 2013 at 1717 BST

Cowes RNLI lifeboat raced to the aid of a man who badly injured his right hand aboard a yacht in Osborne Bay on Tuesday afternoon, 7 May.

IoW sailor Haydn Sewell on way to Turkey

Wed 08 May 2013 at 1603 BST

Royal Victoria Yacht Club Optimist sailor, Haydn Sewell has been selected to join the British Optimist Development Team to compete in the Bodrum International Regatta in Turkey.

Sigma 38 Anniversary Nationals - Mefisto wins

Wed 08 May 2013 at 1059 BST

After 25 years, Sigma 38 racing continues to enthral.