This year saw the 180th Cowes Week with the past twelve of these having main sponsorship from Skandia. Things have changed greatly from that first regatta when just 7 boats were sailing . A record 1040 boats were entered this year but things are changing. Throughout the week there were meetings to discuss the future of the event and anyone can pen their opinion on the various options for the regatta on the Skandia Cowes Week web site. Its your chance to plan the future of one of the Island’s main events so get involved.
After the extreme heat of previous weeks the weather changed for the event with quite strong winds on most days and some rain squalls. On Thursday racing was halted for some time because of the extra strong winds but during the rest of the week the winds made for some fast sailing conditions. On the first day of Skandia Cowes Week Volvo 70 “ABN Amro One” streaked around the Solent and took line honours in IRC Class Zero almost one hour ahead of the rest of the fleet and thus won the “Queen’s Cup”.
Saturday evening saw Dame Ellen MacArthur open the new Trinity Landing off the Parade. This has 100 metres of landing space- 80 metres public and 20 metres for members of the Royal London YC. Captain Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbourmaster said that the landing had been a long term objective of Cowes Harbour Commission and Cowes Week Sponsorship and that there had been a true partnership project with funding from the yacht clubs and local businesses
Also on Saturday evening Skandia Team GBR announced the sailors who will attend the Pre-Olympic Test event to be held in China. Names included Cowes sailor Shirley Robertson.
During the week several local school students had their chance to show just what young Islanders can achieve. Following on from “The Round the Island Race” where they had shown proficiency in back-up teams several students were offered work experience with PR, Photographic and TV film crews. Two students from Carisbrooke High School Joana Sena and Imalda McGrath worked with the official Skandia photographer and APP TV.
Monday was charity day with this year’s chosen charity “The Ellen MacArthur Trust” raising £55.000 at a ball held at Cowes Yacht Haven’s Maurice Laing Event Centre. Altogether over the week the charity was hoping to top £100.000 to enable young people with cancers to take part in sailing. As part of the fund raising there was a fun sailing event for young people to sail with well known sailors. The contestants came from all around the country with Sarah Harrison from Cowes as a lone Island representative. Sarah enjoys her sailing and has a Summer job at IWAC. All the sailors were given gifts by Dame Ellen at a special prizegiving.
Volvo 70 “ABN Amro One” came up tops again on Wednesday winning the “Britannia Cup” which was presented by John Cooper who was a member of one of the Skandia Squad crews and was celebrating his 60th birthday on that day. Talking of the Skandia Squads- they are formed from members of the public who enjoy sailing. Each year there is a national competition to find the squads. It always seems strange that the Island is not represented- perhaps sailors here are too busy to enter the competition .
Cowes Yacht Haven’s Event Centre was well used throughout the week. On Thursday evening IW Council Chairman, Cllr. Charles Chapman and his consort hosted a reception there. In a short speech the Chairman thanked the Councillors and Council Officers and employees for what they do for the Island.
Thursday was “Ladies Day” with a number of special events for ladies. A fashion show was held in the Yacht Haven which was organised by “Cowes Yachting” magazine and featured clothes available in Cowes and via web-sites. These included Henri Lloyd who are one of the sponsors for Skandia Cowes Week.
After much searching five ladies who have given that extra something to the yachting scene were nominated to become the winner of the first “Ladies Day” trophy. On the short list was Dee Caffari round the World sailor, but the eventual winner was Betty Moore who has sailed at every Cowes Week for 59 years. She was presented with her trophy, of IW Glass, by Dame Ellen MacArthur at a special reception. All the five ladies received goody bags supplied by Island company-Liz Earle which is based at Ryde.
Another long term sponsor Champagne Mumm was celebrating thirty years of sponsorship. A special marquee at the Yacht Haven gave competitors and visitors the chance to try the various “Mumms”. On ladies day a champagne tasting was arranged with a wine master, which was well supported.
The street events and stands proved as popular as ever with just the right mix of things to eat and drink or goods to buy. Proving popular was “3Dom” from Ventnor- this all girl trio is certainly going places. They are not shy to perform in front of crowds having been at the Nokia IW Festival in June.