With some big prizes and a prestigious title at stake, the scene is hotting up for the 2008 edition of the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week, which takes place on Friday 1 August.

The inaugural event, in 2007, saw Alistair Richardson crowned “King of Cowes” and drive away with a brand new Volkswagen Touareg. Volkswagen Touareg has continued its sponsorship of the Laser SB3 class and its events into 2008 and is back again. The prizes up for grabs this year reflect the level of competition the regatta attracts, and on the day the sailors will be vying for a number of top prizes, as well as the all important title.

The overall winning helmsman, already a Class winner at Skandia Cowes Week 2007, will once again drive away with a Volkswagen Touareg. The second placed helm will receive a Laser XD dinghy, as specified and used by World number one and British Olympic Laser Class representative Paul Goodison, whilst the third placed helm gets a Laser Bug, the new singled handed junior dinghy launched in 2008.

The owners of the Laser SB3s, who provide the boats, don’t walk away empty handed either. Every competing Laser SB3 owner will receive a brand new jib for their boat and the top three owners will also receive more prizes in addition.

This year’s event will see the 32 official class winners from Skandia Cowes Week 2007 competing in one design Laser SB3’s. Watch this space for the official pairings of skippers and owners, and to see who will take home each of the superb prizes.