The revitalised Quarter Ton Class is growing with an increasing number of sailors searching out classic Quarter Tonners to refit and race in this exciting and fun fleet.

The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Cowes has led the Quarter Ton revival and the Club is delighted to announce a three year sponsorship deal for leading international private bank Coutts to support the Quarter Ton Class for the 2007 to 2009 seasons.

Coutts first got involved with the Quarter Tonners in 2006 when it sponsored Darren Marston’s beautifully restoredCatchand became a day sponsor of the Quarter Ton Cup. The three year sponsorship will cover the production of a new website as well as title sponsorship of the Quarter Ton event in Cowes each year. The new Coutts sponsored Quarter Ton Class web site is now live at www.quartertonclass.org and will carry regularly updated information about the class, events, boats for sale, the latest restoration projects, how-to and tuning tips, etc.

The Coutts Quarter Ton Cup 2007 will be hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at its historic Cowes Clubhouse from 8-10 June, keeping the involvement of Red Funnel which has supported this regatta since its inception. The regatta will be open to Quarter Tonners of all generations and racing will take place under IRC in the central Solent with nine races planned over three days. Close to 30 boats are expected to compete including a number of entrants from France, where the class is also experiencing a strong revival.

Ed Dubois’ Enigma team will be back to defend the title which they took in 2006 and Neil Kennefick, Joxer O’Brien and Ron Holland will once again bring the legendary Manzanita across the Irish Sea to compete alongside teams from across the UK and France. Ashore the sailors will enjoy social events each evening including the Coutts Welcome Reception on Thursday night and the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup Gala Dinner on Saturday where it is hoped that Tony Castro will be this year’s guest speaker.

During the 2007 season Quarter Tonners will take part in many of the key regattas in the UK and France including the Round the Island Race, Spi Ouest, Skandia Cowes Week and the Vice Admiral’s Cup. In addition two dedicated Quarter Ton events have been organised, one in Benodet in Brittany, France where the fleet will race for the Obelix Trophy at the end of April and the other in Jersey in September.

Bob Fisher, Patron Quarter Ton Cup commented: “We are delighted that Coutts, who know where to put their money, have chosen to support the Quarter Ton Class. It shows that confidence in the popularity of the class by the dedicated owners is considered important in places of trust. Welcome aboard Coutts.”