THERE were no hats, no fancy dresses and the sun definitely did not have its hat on – but that did not stop the ladies enjoying their special day at Cowes Week courtesy of a handsome butler.

Dressed in his finest dinner suit, the Champagne G H Mumm water butler put smiles on faces by handing out bottles of bubbly to the most stylish crews on the water.

The champagne giveaway was just one of the events to mark Ladies Day at Cowes Week, a celebration of the achievements of all women in sailing from novices to sailing superstars.

With more than a third of 8,500 competitors in the week-long regatta of the fairer sex, the day aims at promoting women in one of the few sports where they compete with men on equal grounds.

The Ladies Day Trophy, which is given out annually to celebrate the achievements of women in sailing, was last night awarded to Sam Davis. Sam won the special award for her outstanding achievements as one of the world’s most talented female offshore sailors. Onboard Roxy she completed her first solo, non-stop round the world Vendée Globe in a time of just over 95 days.