Skandia’s protection insurance division has taken the initiative to help visitors and competitors ensure they covered against the harmful rays of the sun during this year’s Skandia Cowes Week (Isle of Wight, 29 July-5 August).

The Skandia team will be distributing thousands of free sachets of high factor ZO-1 sun cream to shoreside visitors and competitors throughout the Week. Sun cream will be available every day (while stocks last) in front of the Skandia Team GBR 2008 information unit on Cowes Parade.

Alison Turner-Holmes, Skandia’s protection marketing manager says, “We’ve seen a marked increase in the number of claims coming through for malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the UK so it’s essential we protect ourselves from the sun as much as possible. Even on a cloudy day, harmful UV rays can damage skin and anyone out on the water is particularly at risk.”

As well as sun cream, Skandia’s team at the event are also getting extra cover from the sun thanks to Henri Lloyd’s Fast Dri clothing, which provides a UPF factor of 50 .

“We’ve changed the gear that the Skandia Cowes Week team will wear this year to ensure we have the extra protection offered by this latest fabric technology,” says Tim Sewell, Skandia’s sponsorship manager. “Working for a major long term savings company means many of us spend most of the year in the office. During Skandia Cowes Week we are out and about all week and there’s a real risk of sunburn, so making sure we’re adequately covered makes good sense. Hopefully the sun will shine so much this year we’ll really need all this extra protection.”