News - 03/08/15

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week takes place this year from Saturday, 8th to 15th August and will feature an exciting and diverse blend of competitive sailing as well as a strong social scene. Offering a breathtaking combination of colour and spectacle, it is a summer highlight for residents and visitors to the Isle of Wight alike. 

The regatta always has a strong international appeal and in 2015 welcomes boats from 18 different countries to take part in the racing. The team to have travelled the furthest to this year’s regatta is the crew of Strait Dealer, who arrive from Sydney, Australia to race in the Etchells fleet. 

Many families come to race together at Cowes Week and one of the family entries for 2015 is the Contessa 32 Assent which is crewed by no less than 10 members of the Rogers family, including Jeremy Rogers, a world renowned sailor who was Yachtsman of the Year in 1974.

The oldest boat entered this year is Madcap racing in the XOD fleet; she was built in 1911. The oldest class racing is the Mermaids, which have been competing at the regatta for over 100 years, since 1907. Regular competitor Peter Nicholson will be racing in his 50th Cowes Week in 2015 with Dainty, his Solent Sunbeam. Dainty has consistently competed at Cowes Week since 1923.
 
Events of particular interest this year include, Family day on Sunday, 9th with plenty to do for the whole family, Ladies Day on Tuesday, 11th celebrating the achievements of women in sailing, and the Artemis Challenge 50 mile sprint sail around the Island on Thursday, 13th. There will also be an outdoor cinema at Northwood House, so you sit back and enjoy the family film ‘Big Hero 6’ on Sunday, 9th and ‘Ghostbusters’ on Wednesday, 12th. The not-to-be-missed Red Arrows display team will be back in Cowes, this year on the Thursday evening at 1850, and then the RAF Typhoon display team will be performing at speeds of up to 600 knots on Friday, 14th, prior to the famous fireworks display.

Giving minute-by-minute information to competitors, spectators and regatta followers, 2015 will be the 30th continuous year of broadcasting for Cowes Radio. Live from a fully instrumented commentary boat, and direct from the starting platform of the Royal Yacht Squadron, you can keep up with all the latest Cowes Week news by listening on 87.7FM or online at cowesradio.co.uk.

Further details about Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week can be found at www.aamcowesweek.co.uk and the event can be followed on social media through @Cowes_Week and #CowesWeek.
 
For lots of useful information about Cowes, see the Cowes Port Handbook and our map of Cowes and the River Medina.

Top photo: courtesy of Okek Creations