Cowes Week: Racing off on third day of regatta

Olympic and world-class professionals take part in the event alongside amateur sailors

Racing on the third day of a sailing event has been abandoned due to weather conditions.

Cowes Week draws thousands of people to the Isle of Wight and is described by organisers as the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.

The schedule would normally see up to 40 races taking place for about 500 boats but the race committee said strong winds and big gusts brought by Storm Floris led to its decision to cancel the competition on Monday.

Activities will still take place onshore for the third day of the event, known as Charity Day, which is dedicated to fundraising and raising awareness for various charities.

Olympic and world-class professionals, alongside amateurs make up the 5,000 competitors which take part in the week-long regatta.