Yachtingworld.com caught up with the Ellen MacArthur Trust at their stand in the Parade Village. Visitors have been visiting the stand throughout the day to support the Trust. You can help ‘Turn Cowes Blue’ and support the Trust all this week by purchasing blue wristbands or raffle tickets to win a limited edition RS Tera signed by Ellen MacArthur and Shirley Robertson.

If you’re wandering down the promenade, looking out at the boats racing and wishing you were on the water too, why not go down to the stand and play ‘Virtual Skipper’ ? Using keyboard controls to raise, lower, trim and ease your boats sails, the computer game tracks your boat as you navigate your way around your own race course. The fastest time of the day wins a Timberland goody bag and if you manage to set the record time for the whole week you’ll win a pair of Timberland boots.

If only the real deal will do, Skandia Try Sailing lessons could be just the thing. You can book your one-hour taster sailing session at the Skandia marquee on Cowes Parade. The sessions run from 0930 to 1730, and were so successful last year that Skandia has doubled the number of free sailing lessons available, giving 800 visitors the chance to learn how to tack, gybe and steer a Colgate keelboat this week. Lessons are free, but a donation to the Trust is asked for.