Reminding him of the sailing regattas of his birthplace, Le Havre, Cowes Week held annually in August on the Isle of Wight, the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world, was a highlight of Maze's year and he became a familiar figure painting at the far end of the pier of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Capturing the colourful vibrancy of the scene, the wind in the sails and the movement of the yachts racing on the choppy Solent, this large-scale pastel with the Royal Yacht, HMY Victoria and Albert in the distance was painted in 1930 during the golden era of British yachting, which flourished under the enthusiastic patronage of King George V. The King's regular attendance at Cowes from 1920 until his death in 1936 ensured its prominence in the English social calendar.