By Isle of Wight Observer
By Mal Butler
The entries are up and the future looks bright as Cowes Week gears up to its 200th birthday next year.
Steering the ‘Good Ship Cowes’ is Bob Trimble, who has been chairman of Cowes Week Ltd for the last four years.
This week, he took time out to talk to the IW Observer, saying: “We have 10 per cent more boats than last year and we hope for even more next year when we will be entertaining some additional classes of boats.
We are also focussing on doing more in town for when the competitors come ashore and more for the spectators.
“We are working with our partners in town, and our stakeholders, so we’re together in providing a bigger and better welcome to the visitors to encourage them to return more.
“We have had a positive reaction from the town councils and the marinas and we are trying to work with everyone in town to make it a success, that is my main objective as chairman.”
Bob is a veteran of 40 years racing on the Solent in the Double-handed Class with the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and is a former Club Commodore.
He became a Race Officer at Cowes Week around 25 years ago, before taking over as manager of the course setting group and then chairman.
Bob added: “Since I became chairman, I have had to play more of an executive role and become more involved in the organisation of the event during the year.
“We had an excellent financial result last year and it looks like the same this year and, while we are not-for-profit, we need reserves to stay in existence.”
Bob will bow out as chairman after the anniversary celebrations and he said: “I’m so looking forward to next year, it’s an amazing event to be involved in and there are exciting plans ahead.
“We want to make it a really special celebration and get everyone involved working together, both on, and off, the water.”
Carole Dennett 
Mal Butler