The Extreme Sailing Series returns to Cowes for the fourth consecutive year, and 2010 will host more days of racing than ever before. The fleet will be put through its paces over six days, with a mixture of short courses – which the circuit has become renowned for – and longer ‘classical’ Cowes Week races, stretching the legs of the catamarans and the tenacity of their crews.

Once again the Race Village at Egypt Point will have a mix of high-end corporate hospitality, along with bars and food outlets for everyone. There will even be DJs playing in the evening.

Every morning from Saturday 31 July to Thursday 5 August (except Tuesday 3 August) there will be a long distance morning race, starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line. Lasting up to 1 hour, the longer races will pitch the teams’ boat speed head-to-head on relatively open water.

The short course racing will take place at Egypt Point every afternoon. For the first three days these will start at 15:00. For the final three, the entertainment will begin from 16:00 with racing from 17:00, to ensure as many of the Cowes Week competitors can enjoy the top flight action, after the waters are largely clear of the Cowes Week racing yachts.

Nine teams are anticipated to be on the start line including current Series leader Yann Guichard and his men on Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, defending Series Champions, Oman Sail Masirah led by Loick Peyron, double Olympic Gold Medallist Roman Hagara with Red Bull Extreme Sailing and local hero Mike Golding with Ecover Sailing Team. New entry for the event, Veolia Environnement skippered by legendary ocean racer Roland Jourdain, will be lining up among them.

Mike Golding, skipper of Ecover Sailing Team commented: “It is always nice to be sailing in familiar waters, in front of a home crowd, but that also comes with additional pressures. We had a good result in Sete and we are hoping to reach the podium for the Cowes event. It will be interesting to see the teams’ performances on the longer races – I’m sure boat handling will be crucial, as will the communication onboard.  It’s a long race compared to the short sharp 20 minute racing we are used to, I’m sure concentration will also be key to success on the water.  The Island is famous for its tidal currents, and I’m hoping local knowledge will help us gain a bit of an advantage over some of the other teams in that area.”


Saturday 31 July

10:00 Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot

Planned from 12:00 – Moth demonstrations

15:00 Short course start off Egypt Point

17:30 Daily prizegiving
19:00 The Bees Sound System – free entry



Sunday 1 August

10:00 Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot

Planned from 12.00 – Moth demonstrations
15:00 Short course start off Egypt Point

17:30 Daily prizegiving 

19:00 Jakey Chan & Wills of Steel – free entry



Monday 2 August
10:00 Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 14.00 – Pro windsurfing demonstrations
15:00 Short course start off Egypt Point
17:30 Daily prizegiving
19:00 Santa Spirita Sounds – free entry



Tuesday 3 August
No morning race

Planned from 14:00 – Pro windsurfing demonstrations

17:00  Short course start off Egypt Point

19:30 Daily prizegiving
19:00 DJ Kaf-Tan – free entry



Wednesday 4 August

10:00 Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 14.00 – Pro windsurfing demonstrations

17:00  Short course start off Egypt Point
19:30 Daily prizegiving

20:00 Cosine – free entry



Thursday 5 August

10:00 Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 14.00 – Pro windsurfing demonstrations

17:00  Short course start off Egypt Point

19:30 Daily prizegiving

19:00 Rob da Bank & Sombrero (Tickets on sale)



Friday 6 August

Isle of Wight Radio’s Extreme party – Tickets from Isle of Wight Radio reception (£5) or Extreme Bar (£6.50) during cowes Week

For more, visit www.extremesailingseries.com