Langley Holdings
200 Years of Cowes Week | 1826–2026
The Langley Holdings Gladiator Sailing Team joined the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of Cowes Week, marking two centuries of sailing history since 1826.
The landmark week saw the Gladiators joined aboard by Invictus Foundation wounded, injured and sick (WIS) armed services personnel, marking the countdown to the Invictus Games 2027 in Birmingham next July.
Welcoming the team ahead of racing, Gladiator Team Boss Anthony Langley said:
“Nothing embodies the Gladiator spirit more.”
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Anthony Langley also received a personal message from Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Founder and Patron of the Invictus Games, who had hoped to sail with the Gladiators but was unable to join the boat.
Among the WIS personnel sailing with the Gladiators were Paralympic medallist Dave Henson and multiple Invictus Games medallist Josh Boggi, both seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2011.
Langley said: “Today we were joined by Dave Henson and Josh Boggi, both seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2011. Neither had ever been on a sailing boat, let alone a Grand Prix racing yacht. Amazing, they were an inspiration to us all.”
The bicentenary celebrations were also attended by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who joined the sailing community in Cowes for the historic 200th anniversary of Cowes Week.
About Invictus Games
The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event first held in 2014, for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military service personnel, both serving and veterans. The word invictus is Latin for ‘unconquered’, chosen as an embodiment of the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and what they can achieve, post-injury. The Invictus Games were founded by Prince Harry in 2014 . Inspiration came from his 2013 visit to the Warrior Games in the United States, where he witnessed the ability of sport to help both psychologically and physically.
About Round the Island
The Round the Island Race is an annual yacht race around the Isle of Wight. It starts and finishes in Cowes, and is organised by the Island Sailing Club.[1] The course is about 50 nautical miles (93 km) long.[2] It was first held in 1931,[3][4] it was sponsored by JP Morgan Asset Management from 2005 but in 2017 Cloudy Bay took over as the Presenting Sponsor,[5] the 2019 race was sponsored by Helly Hansen, Raymarine, MS Amlin and Chelsea Magazines.
About Gladiator Sailing Team
The Langley Holdings Gladiator Sailing Team is one of 13 teams from 8 different nations competing in the annual 52 Super Series, the world’s premier mono hull yacht racing circuit. The Gladiator team also competes in other yacht racing in the UK and the USA, bringing on aspiring young sailors in big boat racing alongside seasoned professionals. In common with Langley businesses, the 52 SUPER SERIES represents the very best technology in its field, attracts talented, dedicated people and is conducted with the highest standards of integrity.
About Langley Holdings
Langley Holdings plc is a privately owned UK-based engineering and industrial manufacturing group, principally producing capital equipment for diverse markets worldwide. Langley businesses are either outright market leaders, or occupy strong niche positions in their respective fields, providing advanced technologies in a solutions-based approach. The group operates in two principal areas: Power Solutions and Diverse Industrials. The group’s operations are based in Germany, Italy, France the UK and Norway, with 16 production facilities in Europe, the UK and the USA. The group has more than 40 subsidiaries worldwide and employs 4,600+ people. Langley Holdings was established in 1975 by the current Chairman & CEO, Anthony Langley and remains entirely in family ownership.
