Cowes Week 2011
On Saturday August 6th 2011, one of the world's most spectacular sailing regattas, Cowes Week, will celebrate its 185th year.
Weather outlook
The outlook for the weather according to regatta CEO, Stuart Quarrie:
"At this stage, it appears that the weather for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week will be quite unsettled, but with generally decent breezes and the possibility of some windy days.
"The first couple of days look as if they will be dry, but by Monday there may be showers developing.
The wind direction is likely to be predominantly from the west, varying as a series of low pressure systems track across the north of the UK."
Racing is being provided for some of the largest and most glamorous boats in the world as they arrive in Cowes for the start of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Boats between 18.2m and 30.5m LOA with a TCC of greater than 1.4 will race within a mini-series - the Big Boat Series - over three days of the regatta (Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11).
A mobile-friendly version of the event website has been created to give smartphone users instant access to results, news, start times, courses and entertainment schedules during the regatta.
Smartphone users will simply need to go to www.aamcowesweek.co.uk and will be automatically taken to the mobile version of the site.
There are several special events planned:
The XOD Centenary sees a staggering 145 boats entered in the class. This is by far the largest single fleet to have ever raced at the event and smashes the record of largest fleet size previously held by the Laser SB3's by over 60%! The XOD fleet will hold a 'regatta within the regatta' on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with HRH The Princess Royal expected to fire the start gun for the XODs on Thursday 11 August. There are many celebratory plans throughout the week in support of this remarkable milestone for the Class. Details can be found at www.aamcowesweek.co.uk under the entertainment schedule.
The Contessa 32 Class celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Class celebrations will take place throughout Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, with various social events after racing and a special allcomers` anniversary race on Sunday 7 August.
In addition to the traditional fleets racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, there are a number of other events:
The Extreme Sailing Series (Saturday 6 - Friday 12 August): The Solent will once again play host to the only UK stop, for the fifth consecutive year, on the global nine-event Extreme Sailing Series™. Twelve Extreme 40 catamarans, with world-renowned sailors from 15 nationalities, will line-up on 6 August for seven days of high-octane 'stadium sailing' action the circuit has become renowned for. In 2011, Cowes Week title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management , will have their own entry into the Series skippered by British Olympic 49er class contender John Pink.
Artemis Challenge (Wednesday 10 August): The Artemis Challenge at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is now in its sixth year and will see a fleet of five IMOCA 60s racing around the Isle of Wight, following the original America's Cup route, raising money for good causes. Every year Artemis Investment Management donates a charity prize fund of £10,000 for the race, which goes to a charity of the winner's choice. Whilst the IMOCA 60 skippers are used to racing alone or with just one co-skipper, they will be joined for the Artemis Challenge by an experienced racing crew and some special celebrity guests who will this year include Ewan McGregor, Zara Phillips and Natalie Pinkham.
The Artemis Challenge will start at 10am off the Royal Yacht Squadron on Wednesday 10 August.
About Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week:
* Cowes Week is one of the longest running events in UK sporting history having first taken place in 1826.
* Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is an inclusive, aspirational sailing regatta; the largest of its kind in the world.
* Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week attracts around 1,000 yachts in up to 40 classes, and 8,500 competitors ranging from weekend sailors through to Olympic medallists and World Champions.
* Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week has a lively festival atmosphere ashore with a broad range of social activities that provide an exciting and varied "après-sail" programme.
* The official event website for all the latest news and information is: www.aamcowesweek.co.uk.
* Follow the event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cowesweek
