Long term savings company, Skandia, has chosen the University of Aberdeen to create a new energy drink for use by selected sailors at this year’s Skandia Cowes Week regatta on the Isle of Wight (30 July-6 August 2005).

Skandia, now in its 11th year as the Event’s title sponsor, hopes the specially-formulated brew will give its chosen crews the edge in this gruelling eight-day competition.

The University of Aberdeen was selected because of its expertise in human nutrition, including sports nutrition. The formula is being developed by Human Nutrition student Claire Nixon, aided by Dr Derek Ball, a lecturer at the University’s School of Medical Sciences.

Their brief is to create a drink that will maximise the muscle and brain energy it requires to compete among the 8,000 sailors racing on 1,000 boats that take part in Skandia Cowes Week, the world’s oldest and largest regatta.

“We recognise that sailing presents an interesting challenge to sailors both due to the elements of muscular endurance and the decision making demands that arise during racing,” says Dr Ball. “We aim to provide Skandia with a beverage that provides a steady release of energy to both working muscles and the brain to maximise racing performance.”

The team at Aberdeen are already well into the research stage but details are being kept firmly under wraps until the drink’s launch at the start of Skandia Cowes Week.