SOME of the most beautiful yachts ever built are to once again do battle in the Solent in a regatta aimed at reviving classic yacht racing.
The Westward Cup will be sailed from Cowes and will feature at least four stunning Big Class schooners, including Britannia, a replica of King George V’s 1893-built yacht which was the most successful racing yacht of all time.
The regatta commemorates the 100th anniversary of the launch of one of the most famous Big Class yachts, the 135ft Westward.
Eleonora, a replica of Westward, will also be taking part in the regatta, alongside Mariquita and Mariette of 1915.
The event, from July 5 to 11, is being run by the Royal Yacht Squadron along with the New York Yacht Club and Yacht Club de Monaco.
Organisers are hoping that the regatta can revive Big Class racing, as it was known from the 1910s to the 1930s.
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