Blog

Today SailGP have revealed more of their plans for the British stage of the SailGP circuit in Cowes, Isle of Wight. SailGP is set to deliver the greatest stadium racing format – similar to the America’s Cup World Series but designed with the spectator in mind, with more viewer information and matched boats capable ofContinue reading "Solent Events announced as official supplier for SailGP in Cowes"

History was made yesterday when Jean-Luc Den Heede finished the 2018 Golden Globe Race. Not only has he won the race, but at 73 years he is the oldest competitor to have completed the solo circumnavigation! The Frenchman takes both titles from yachting legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, who won the original race in 1969 withContinue reading "Never too old to hang up your sailing boots!"

It’s no surprise that peoples’ eyes are opening to the issues of the throw-away culture. The Independent recently quoted our national coffee cup consumption as 7 million disposable cups per day… At Solent Events we are trying to be ahead of the curve, and are constantly looking for new ways to make our operation moreContinue reading "Plastic: Not-so-Fantastic"

4th November 2018 will see the start of the single handed Route Du Rhum sailing race starting from St. Malo in Brittany, Northern France. Over 125 boats will make their way across the pond to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, to presumably escape the onset of a European winter! Run every 4 years, this famous race isContinue reading "It’s a Long Way To Go For a Dark & Stormy!"

When Solent Events were approached to host a complex birthday celebration on the water at short notice, we said “Of Course, no problem at all!” Not quite your average event when 4 helicopters descend from the heavens in the otherwise sleepy market village of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, our Ribs transferred the guestsContinue reading "For the client who wants everything…"

We’re all excited out the football here, our land based brands EMG and The Teambuilding Company are running events themed around the beautiful game… The sight of so many St George’s flags reminded us of the strange laws at sea. Many rules and regulations in British waters stem from military history, since flags were the mainContinue reading "Football Mania & Maritime Flags…"

The highlight of the British sailing season is fast approaching; Lendy Cowes Week is the ultimate mix of yacht racing and après fun!  Saturday 4th August – Saturday 11th August 2018 What’s new this year? This year Solent Events has partnered with the prestigious Royal Ocean Racing Club, so our trademark hospitality will be servedContinue reading "Lendy Cowes Week 2018"

If you’re in Cowes, or just passing through, make sure you don’t miss these fantastic places to eat!   Gastronomy Aptly named, this new restaurant is run by a young, enthusiastic team who produce superb food. For fresh, delicious dishes you can’t go wrong on their menu, from tapas-style sharing platters to their Gastronomy Burger- fastContinue reading "Cowes for lunch?"

Image source: The Sunday Times. Owners: Dean Rogers & Mike Cathro We’ve seen a few less-than favourable reviews of The Mercy, the tragic story of Donald Crowhurst’s attempt in the 1968 Golden Globe single handed round the world sailing race, so we decided to give the film a review from a sailor’s perspective… While theContinue reading "The Mercy – Film Review"

Whilst the weather outside is well below zero due to ‘The Beast from the East’, the Solent Events team are planning for sunnier times that will be with us before we know it. This year sees the Volvo Ocean Race schedule a ‘stopover ‘ in Cardiff after departing Newport…. Rhode Island in the USA, ratherContinue reading "Cardiff Volvo Ocean Race Stopover 2018"

As well as truly indulgent luxury days afloat, Solent Events are specialists in delivering events that include meetings and conferences bolted seamlessly onto water based activities. Years of working with hotels and other venues close to marinas mean that we can recommend the right places to ensure that the serious bit gets done before theContinue reading "Conferences and Meetings Don’t have to be Dull!"

Solent Events were pleased to attend the grand launch of the brand new  Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa to see what ‘all the fuss’ was about! Despite the drab and damp autumn evening, the welcome was a ray of sunshine with very friendly front of house staff dressed in their new smart uniforms greeting guestsContinue reading "Launch of the new Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa"

What a season that was!  A new collaboration with a premium New Zealand wine brand saw us running a classy wine bar for the world famous Round the Island Race for the presenting partner, Cloudy Bay with celebrity appearances from brand ambassador Ben Fogle. The sun shone the entire weekend and hundreds of sailors andContinue reading "Another Season Done!"

  Throughout this year's Lendy Cowes Week, Solent Events are offering 60 minute Rib blast experiences to watch the racing. Our immaculate 8.8 metre high-speed Rigid Inflatable Powerboats (Ribs) will operate from our base in Cowes Yacht Haven. Meet us here for your safety briefing, wet weather gear and life jackets fitting before heading ontoContinue reading "Lendy Cowes Week – Spectator Ribs"

The 2017 Round the Island Race, presented by Cloudy Bay was a huge success and there are many teams to mention for their outstanding achievements. Let’s start off by saying congratulations to skipper Steve Durkin, celebrity crew member (and brand ambassador) Ben Fogle, Helena Lucas MBE and the rest of the Cloudy Bay sailing teamContinue reading "Huge success for Cloudy Bay’s first year at Round the Island Race"

Get ready for an event like you’ve never seen before. Little Britain Challenge Cup (LBCC), the sailing regatta for the construction industry and related trades has been given a total ‘facelift’ for 2017.  New prices – There has been complete pricing overhaul, so it’s better value than ever to enter. There’s more variety – The racing itselfContinue reading "Announcing the all new Little Britain Challenge Cup"

Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is preparing to set sail around Britain this summer The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust (EMCT) is taking on an epic 2,000-mile round Britain adventure, with 100 young people sailing around the British Isles over 4 months in a 60-stopover relay. The EMCT is a national charity that rebuilds confidence after cancer, using sailingContinue reading "Dame Ellen MacArthur is to set sail around Britain"

The Rolex Fastnet Race starts from Cowes on Sunday 6th August 2017 A new record! It took an astonishing 4 minutes and 24 seconds to fill the 340 boat entry list for this year’s race. The race starts on Sunday the 6th of August, racing 600 miles offshore from Cowes to Plymouth via the iconic Fastnet RockContinue reading "Rolex Fastnet Race 2017"

World Match Racing Tour We are delighted that Phil Robertson has given Solent Events an exclusive interview. Phil recently won the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) Match Cup Australia & achieved silver in the overall 2016 WMRT series. He’s sailed on some of the top racing yachts in the world & now he’s back forContinue reading "Exclusive interview with Phil Robertson"

Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation – Official Charity for Cowes Week 2017 Cowes Week have selected the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF) as the official charity for 2017. The foundation was set up following the death of professional sailor Andrew Simpson who tragically lost his life in a training accident on San Francisco Bay in MayContinue reading "Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation"

Cloudy Bay Wines announced as the official Presenting Sponsor for Round the Island Race 2017 Whilst this announcement was made on Monday the 27th February, we are now very excited to be able to confirm the involvement of Solent Events in this collaboration. The official name of the 2017 edition will be ‘The Round the Island RaceContinue reading "New Presenting Sponsor for Round the Island Race 2017 – Cloudy Bay"

Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 – 200 day count down The next Volvo Ocean Race is set to start in Alicante on 22nd October 2017. In a change from recent races, this edition will see three times more racing in the grueling southern ocean. Leg 9 will see teams leave Newport, Rhode Island on 20th MayContinue reading "Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18 – Stand by for a transatlantic thriller to Cardiff"

Last weekend Solent Events joined forces with the New Forest hoteliers group to deliver a weekend showcase for business group ‘bookers’. Our objective was to highlight all that The New Forest has to offer for a business customer, from conference spaces, quirky hotels and various ‘on and off the water’ activity options suitable for teamContinue reading "New Forest Showcase weekend"

What a year we had in 2016! As ever, it goes by in a blur and we find ourselves in March poised for the season ahead.  The winter was spent catching up on a few lieu days, eating the odd mince pie and doing lots of site visits and pre-season supplier and customer meetings beforeContinue reading "Flashback to a Very Busy June!"