ONE OF the world 's greatest and most glamorous sailing events graced the Solent this year as crews from all over the globe helped to celebrate 150 years of the America 's Cup.
Royalty, socialites and business millionaires flocked to Cowes to ensure that they were there to witness every last minute of this momentous occasion.
Since the New York Yacht Club schooner America first won the trophy back on August 22,1851,the America 's Cup has become the world 's premiere yacht race,with a field of teams now gearing themselves up to compete in Auckland,New Zealand in 2003.
The jubilee was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, the regatta 's patron, but other royalty who stayed on the island for the duration of the event included avid sailors King Juan Carlos II of Spain, the Aga Khan and Prince Henrik of Denmark,who competed and resided aboard his yacht Denborg.
With yachts arriving from Italy, Holland, Germany and the US, the regatta was a truly international affair.
The world 's richest man -Microsoft founder Bill Gates - made his way to the Island, along with TV favourites Anneka Rice and Alan Titchmarsh who were all spotted enjoying the sailing and socialising.
Thousands of spectators crowded onto the town 's waterfront armed with binoculars, telescopes, video cameras and hand-held radios enabling them to follow the racing, while huge numbers of visitors from all over the country travelled to the Island to enjoy the spectacle and the party atmosphere ashore.
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