Skandia Life has announced its continued sponsorship of Cowes Week which this year runs from 3-10 August.

Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC), the organisers of Cowes Week, are delighted that Skandia Life has taken the decision to continue as the event’s title sponsor for an additional three-year term. The new £1.5 million contract commences in 2003.

Stuart Quarrie, CCC Director commented that this year’s sailing format will remain virtually the same as last year with a few tweaks to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible. One of the most significant changes to the regatta is the prizegiving which will this year be held on Saturday 10 August after the day’s racing rather than a month later during the Southampton Boat Show. Also to ensure as many crews, families and friends attend the event, the prizegiving will be held on Cowes Parade on the bandstand.

Also to ensure competitors get a first rate race results service, Skandia Life Cowes Week have, once again, signed up Next Generation Results to process the 8,000 individual results during the week.

Competitors will also benefit from a new initiative set up by the organisers in the form of an regatta tent situated on the Parade. Here visitors will be able to purchase official programmes and postcards and will have the chance to browse at regatta photos on-line.

Stuart Quarrie, CCC Director, commented, “Skandia Life’s continued sponsorship gives us the financial security that is so necessary for implementation of planning initiatives. Cowes Week will not be quite the same without Bill West, Skandia’s Marketing Director and long-time friend of Cowes Week, who is taking time out with his wife to sail his own boat in the Caribbean. We all wish him and his wife well and look forward to a continuing good relationship with Tim Sewell and the team at Skandia.”