The 13th International Business Schools’ Regatta, held over the weekend of 10/11 July 2004, will be the largest ever with 27 crews from 17 schools across Europe taking part in the two-day sailing competition.

The event, held off the Isle of Wight, is organised each year by MBA (Master of Business Administration) students from Cranfield School of Management. It’s one of the most hotly contested events in the MBA calendar and this year has drawn a record number of entries from business schools across the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

Organisers of this year’s regatta have also secured sponsorship deals with the prestigious motor company Lexus-Toyota and First Data, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services.

The sailing festival is hosted at the International Yachting Centre at Cowes. Co-organiser Damian Thomson says; “This year’s regatta is shaping up to be the best yet. The committee has secured a record number of entries from European business schools and everyone is looking forward to the competitive and close racing that lies ahead.”

The competitive nature and the intensity of yacht racing is renowned for testing leadership and teamwork to the limit. The development of these skills is also a fundamental aspect of a high quality MBA programme so the regatta provides an opportunity for teams to put into practice some of the leadership and organisational skills learnt whilst studying.