Seven races over three days delivered some of the closest and most exhilarating racing seen in the Solent as the 2025 Cowes Classics Regatta returned in style.
With seven Dragons on the start line, including two beautifully restored classics, La-Ju and Polly, the competition was fierce across the windward-leeward courses set on the iconic Bramble Bank.
Sharing the race area with the Darings, the Dragon Class produced some of the tightest boat-for-boat racing of the week. As Magnus Wheatley aptly observed, “any mistakes were harshly punished amidst desperately tight boat-for-boat racing,” with no room for error among this highly competitive fleet.
Early in the series, it was shaping up to be a thrilling two-boat battle between Simon Barter’s Bertie and Chris Grosscurth’s Fit Chick. The two exchanged early race wins and second-place finishes to sit tied at the top of the leaderboard after Day 1, each with just three points apiece.
But beyond the intense rivalry, a heart-warming highlight of the regatta was the appearance of La-Ju (DK74), helmed by Rupert Street and crewed by his four-year-old twins Leopold and Theodore, along with their older brother Louis. A beautiful moment in keeping with the family spirit of Cowes Classics, the young crew proved to be crowd favourites and “serious contenders for the future.” Bravo to the Street family for showing the joy of racing across generations.
As the regatta progressed, Simon Barter and team Bertie stepped up their game, notching up three consecutive race wins with razor-sharp tactics and excellent calls on tidal shifts around the Hill Head plateau. Heading into the final day, Bertie held a five-point lead over Fit Chick, with Owen Pay’s Furious close behind in third.
The final day brought building breeze and thrilling conditions, with the Dragon fleet treated to classic Solent surfing. Fit Chick, helmed by Jono Brown came out charging, winning both of the final day’s races in dominant style. However, it wasn’t quite enough to clinch the overall victory.
Thanks to a steady third and second place on the final day, Barter’s Bertie held on to win the regatta by just a single point—her third place becoming the discard in a remarkably consistent campaign.
The final podium place was decided on countback, with Furious and David Ross’s Sanka finishing tied on points after discards. In the end, it was Furious that claimed third overall by finishing just ahead of Sanka in the final race of the series.
Final Results
- Bertie, Simon Barter
- Fit Chick, Chris Grosscurth/Jono Brown
- Furious, Owen Pay
- Sanka, Dave Ross
- Ithaca, Michael Cover
- Polly, Charles Foster
- La-Ju, Rupert Street
Along with the overall Cowes Classics Regatta prize winners, La Ju was announced winner of the David Gower bowl, youth trophy.
And Tim Street was awarded the spirit of Cowes Classics Regatta trophy for his continued passion for classic boats.
Close competition, stunning classic yachts, and spirited family sailing made the Dragon racing one of the stand-out elements of the 2025 Cowes Classics Regatta.
Images by Tim Jefferys and Paul Wyeth