The world’s oldest and largest sailing regatta kicks off tomorrow in Cowes and runs until Saturday 11 August. The organising authority, Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC), together with the regatta sponsors, are all set to deliver one of the best ever weeks in the 181 year history of this great event for the 8,500 competitors and some 10,000 visitors per day.

This year also marks Skandia’s 13th year as title sponsor and during this time the Event has witnessed some very positive changes. Skandia’s long-term investment – both financially and in terms of the time they put in working with the Event’s organising committee at CCC – has helped to make Skandia Cowes Week a world-renowned success, both on and off the water.

KEY FACTS

Entry figure (subject to change)
979

International entries
Australia (2), Belgium (5), France (9), Hong Kong (2), Ireland (2), Italy (1), Latvia (1) South Africa (2), Spain (1), Switzerland (1), The Netherlands (17), United Arab Emirates (1), United States (3). All remaining entries are from the UK.

The Largest yachts
ICAP Leopard and Alfa Romeo both at 30m/100ft.
It will be hard not to spot property tycoon Mike Slade’s new 100ft (30m) Farr supermaxi ICAP Leopard on the Skandia Cowes Week race course during the Big Boat Series (Friday, Wednesday and Thursday). Launched earlier this summer, this beast boasts a canting keel giving stability equal to 200 crew sitting on the rail! The rig towers 154 ft above the water and is capable of carrying up to 15,000 square ft of sail. 30 crew on board.

The Smallest yachts
White Group/dayboats – Squib at 5.79m/19ft.
Black Group – Hunter Sonata fleet – Fat Hen and Scherzo both measure 6.55m/21.48950 feet.

Oldest yacht
Mikado, a Clyde Linear 30 is 103 years old this year. Originally a Gaff Cutter and now a Bermudan Cutter owned by Michael and Beverly Briggs of Westbourne, West Sussex.

The largest class
With 98 currently entered, the Laser SB3 Class has well and truly taken over the top spot from the ‘X’ One-Design Class (XODs). The fleet, sponsored by Volkswagen Touareg, has grown wildly since its inception in 2002 and has become the largest fleet racing at Cowes and the most active one-design fleet in the UK.

Youngest Skipper
15-year old Sam Prime from Ryde, Isle of Wight, sailing on the National Squib Liz Whiz.

Number of Classes
34 including the Clipper fleet racing on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th only, plus Multihulls and IRM.

First White Group start each day will be Laser SB3 at 1005 with next start being Etchells at 1035. First Black Group start most days will be at 1030 except for Class Zero racing 3 August when the start is at 1200 and on 7 and 8 August when Class Zero will start at 1000. First committee boat start each day is at 1100.

WEATHER
On the all-important weather front there is a ridge of high pressure to the south of us through the Bay of Biscay and into France. However the remains of an old cold front will pass over Cowes during Thursday afternoon bringing some isolated showers, clearing away towards evening.

The remains of tropical storm Chantal has moved north to become a deep depression and is expected to be near Iceland on Friday. In Cowes we will be between this low (Chantal) and high pressure to the south, however the remains of Chantal will have an influence on our weather during Sunday and early next week.

The later part of Skandia Cowes Week will stay unsettled with a small area of low pressure passing over the channel.

Wind and weather summary

Friday – SW force 3-4 possibly reaching a force 5 in the western Solent by mid afternoon. Mainly sunny with a maximum temperature of 18-20°.

Saturday – Light SW wind mainly force 3 swinging SE late in the day. Mainly sunny with a maximum temperature of 20-22°C.

Sunday – S-SE 4-5 backing SW 4-5. Sunny with a max temperature of 24°C. Cloud spreading from the west late in the day.

Outlook
Becoming unsettled with stronger wind on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th August. There will be some rain. Conditions improving towards the end of the week.
Issued 0800 Thursday 2nd August 2007

THE MAIN EVENTS
Here is a quick run down of the Week’s main events to entertain the thousands of spectators who come to Cowes to enjoy the festival atmosphere.

Friday 3 August

1100 – Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week (Committee Boat start, Central Solent)

1200 – IRC Class Zero Big Boat Series, (Start RYS line)

1210 – iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week PHOTO/FILM OPPORTUNITY (Extreme 40 racing), (Ceremonial start RYS line)

1400 – iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week – racing commences (Princes’ Green)

1730 – Prizegiving Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week regatta, (Volkswagen stand, CYH)

1800 – Photocall, Winners of the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week regatta, (Volkswagen stand, CYH)

Saturday 4 August

1400 approx – Day 2 – iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week (Extreme 40 racing), (Committee Boat start, Osborne Bay or Stone Point)

1730 – Photocall with Colin Jackson and 2010 and 2012 hopefuls, (Skandia Racing Club, CYH)

1830 – Blue Eagles Helicopter Display

Royal Yacht Squadron Ball Royal London Yacht Club Ball
Daily: Skandia Try Sailing, EMT Sailing Simulator

Sunday 5 August

1400 approx – Final Day – iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week (Extreme 40 racing), (Committee Boat Start, Osborne Bay or Stone Point)

1800-2000 – Radio controlled Laser racing (Trinity Landing/Cowes Parade)

1830 approx – iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week Prizegiving (Shepards Wharf)

Monday 6 August – Ellen MacArthur Trust Charity Day

1600 – Tow a Touareg Competition heat, Shepards Wharf (Heats on Mon & Wed, finals on Fri)

1800-2000 – Radio controlled Laser racing, with donations to EMT, (Trinity Landing/Cowes Parade)

1900 – Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball, (Haven Events Centre, CYH) – Sold out

Tuesday 7 August

1730-1900 – Extreme 40s Exhibition Racing along the shore at Princes’ Green (Subject to weather)

2000-2100 – iShares Extreme 40 teams and skippers, (Champagne G. H. Mumm bar, CYH)

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Ball

Wednesday 8 August

1000 – IRC Class Zero Race Round the Island, (Inc. Open 60’s Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week), (Special Cannon Start RYS line)

1600 – Tow a Touareg Competition heat, Shepards Wharf (Final on Friday)

1600-1800 – Opportunity to meet Open 60 sailors after the Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week, (Champagne G. H. Mumm Bar, CYH)

1730-1900 – Extreme 40s Exhibition Racing along the shore at Princes’ Green (Subject to weather)

Thursday 9 August – Champagne G.H. Mumm Ladies Day/Celebrating women in sailing

1000 – IRC Class Zero Big Boat Series – final day of racing (short coastal), (RYS, Start Line)

1730-1900 – Extreme 40s Exhibition Racing along the shore at Princes’ Green (Subject to weather)

1700 – Prizegiving for winners of the Champagne G. H. Mumm ‘Spirit of the Cordon Rouge’ Challenge, (G.H. Mumm bar, CYH)

1900 – Kit Hobday Memorial Match Race, Yacht Racing Academy (Bear of Britain and Chernikeef 2), match racing between these two Farr 45s, (Off Princes’ Green)

Friday 10 August

1600 – Tow a Touareg Competition Finals, (Shepards Wharf)

1730 – Laser SB3 Prizegiving (Volkswagen Touareg stand, CYH)

1900 – Aerobatic Display

2130 Skandia Cowes Week Fireworks display commences

Saturday 11 August

1800 – The Blades Aerobatic Display Team

1900 – Skandia Cowes Week Overall Prizegiving (Haven Events Centre)

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