Five teams have been chosen to represent Skandia, sponsors of Cowes Week, as part of the Skandia Squad at this year’s event?

Skandia’s project manager Tim Sewell said the response to this new scheme has been overwhelming. ” Our aim this year was to kick start our ‘give something back to the competitors’ initiative. Over 150 entries have come in from crews looking to become part of our sponsorship deal. Making the final selection was a tough job and we enlisted the help of Gold medallist Iain Percy and his Star sailing partner Steve Mitchell to share the task!”

Tim continues, “Our aim has not been to choose boats that will necessarily be winners, but those teams whose application most closely identified with each category of the core value. Each boat will race in a different class and we are looking forward to monitoring their progress throughout the week.”

The Skandia Squad 2002 consists of:

XOD ‘Elicia’ Skandia Commitment

Hunter 707 ‘Doh!’ Skandia Creativity

Sigma 38 ‘Sigmarina’ Skandia Courage

Beneteau 31.7 ‘We Will Rock You’ Skandia Passion

Farr 52 ‘Team Tonic’ Skandia Contribution

As part of the sponsorship deal the teams will receive crew clothing from Henri Lloyd, shoes from Timberland, car ferry tickets from Wightlink. Skandia will be paying all entry fees, branding of each boat, introducing Squad members to media, and will host them at all the renowned Skandia Cocktail parties!

Iain Percy and his team mate Steve Mitchell are very impressed with the scheme and Iain commented, “Once again Skandia have come up with an idea that proves they are as passionate about the sailors as they are about Skandia Life Cowes Week. I’ll be sailing on four of the Squad boats during the week and I’m really looking forward to meeting the crews!”