6 August 2011Last updated at 16:11

In pictures: Cowes Week sailing regatta

Cowes Week is a key part of the British sporting calendar and takes place in early August each year.

It is one of the longest running events in UK sporting history having first taken place in 1826.

About 8,500 sailors take part in eight days of racing in the waters of the Solent.

Competitors range from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors.

Yacht club parties, balls and dinners play as important a role as the actual sailing.

This year organisers hope to create "the world's first sail-in cinema" to end the week's racing alongside the traditional fireworks display.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight