New Festival of Sail debuts October 11th

by Talbot Wilson on 5 Sep 2008 On October 11th and 12th, the first-ever Bermuda Festival of Sail will bring added fun and family entertainment to the finals weekend of the King Edward VII Gold Cup. The new event is presented by Argo Group and supported by volunteer help from the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Bermuda and the Bermuda Sailing Association.

The Festival of Sail will be held against the backdrop of Bermuda’s most prestigious international sailing event, the King Edward VII Gold Cup presented by Argo Group. Families and visitors coming to the Hamilton waterfront will be treated to some of the world’s best match race sailing. This is Stage 8 of the World Match Race Tour Championship. The Festival of Sail will take place in Barr’s Park, adjacent to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Admission is Free.

During the entire Gold Cup week and the Festival of Sail, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will be open to the general public. RBYC and Argo Group invite the people of Bermuda and visitors to the islands to enjoy the club facilities and the festival and to witness the world’s top match racing Skippers sailing for the Gold Cup.

As a family fun event with a pirate and nautical theme, the Festival of Sail is open for all. Families with children and young adults are invited to take part in activities celebrating boating and the sea. Activities throughout the day include sea shanty performances, nautical photo stations, a fun castle, face painting, boat rides, a boat show, a Bermuda Sailing Association information station, pirate appearances, historical sailors highlights, live music and Gold Cup Match Race commentary for Saturday and Sunday’s competition.

For a special attraction, Spirit of Bermuda will be at RBYC and the Festival of Sail from 1pm-4pm both Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by Bermuda Container Line. Young adults who have trained aboard the sloop will be on board to show guests around and answer questions about their own experiences. The Tall Ships Bermuda 2009 committee will be on board to promote their 2009 event, recruit volunteers and sign up young Bermudians who want to take part in any leg of the Vigo-Tenerife-Bermuda-Charleston-Boston-Halifax-Belfast race.

In the 2008 Gold Cup, Frenchman Mathieu Richard will be back in Bermuda to defend his title in the 101st year of sailing for the spectacular golden trophy. In 2007, Richard defeated Bjorn Hansen of Sweden 2-0 in the finals to take the gold. Hansen will also return hoping to unseat the reigning champion. Great Britain’s Ian Williams, winner of the 2006 Gold Cup, will be on hand, too, sailing hard to regain his championship form in the Bermuda classic.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Ralph Richardson praised Argo Group’s support. 'Argo Group’s contribution makes the Bermuda Festival of Sail a reality,' Commodore Richardson said. 'It is a significant community enhancement to the October Gold Cup event that is designed to encourage families to participate in the two-day event which will include free sailing, fun castles, face painting, pirates, a boat show, fun food and much more.

'The goal of the Bermuda Festival of Sail,' Commodore Richardson added, 'is to introduce the joy of sailing to the youth of Bermuda and to their parents as well. Two Bermuda organizations, the Bermuda Sailing Association and Big Brothers Big sisters of Bermuda, have partnered with us and will organize and staff the festival.'

Mark Watson, President and CEO of Argo Group commented on his company’s commitment to the event. 'My colleagues at Argo Group know that I am an avid sailor.' Watson said. 'They may think that’s what prompted my interest in sponsoring the Gold Cup. I can’t deny the subject matter got my attention, as well as the opportunities for introducing Argo Group to our business partners in Bermuda.

'But it was the focus on the community and its young people that really sealed the deal,' Watson continued. 'Commodore Richardson has a vision of how sailing can support the positive growth and development of Bermuda’s young people. I applaud that vision, because I know first-hand how this sport contributes to problem-solving, team-work and discipline. Its impact on young people can be profound.'

Speaking on behalf of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Esme Williams said, 'Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda is honoured to have received the invitation to partner with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club to make the First Annual Festival of Sail a success.

'How exciting it will be to have our Bigs & Littles participate as volunteers for this event. Not only will they be giving back to the community that has over the past 30 years supported our one-on-one mentoring relationships, but they will also have the unique opportunity to sail together on the yachts during their time in harbour. What a wonderful and memorable experience this will be for them!'

Somers Cooper, the Bermuda Sailing Association President and Past Commodore of the RBYC added, 'The Bermuda Sailing Association as the governing body of the sport of Sailing in Bermuda applauds the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and title sponsor Argo Group for their plans to improve the Bermuda Gold Cup and especially for including the local community-at-large during the Festival of Sail which will positively enhance the exposure of sailing in Bermuda.

'The BSA supports this initiative,' Cooper continued. 'One of our mandates is to introduce, promote and help provide access to the sport, eliminating or reducing the barriers that exist in a typically expensive sport. We already have a number of programmes for youths including the National Sailing Programme during the summer and the WaterWise programme, which is incorporated into the school curriculum for many Government Middle School Year 1 students during their Spring Term. But for those of us who haven't been in Middle School in the last 5 years, the Festival of Sail will offer a unique opportunity using the colourful and exciting backdrop of the world class Bermuda Gold Cup.

'Bermudians have excelled on the world stage for years as sailors and as race organizers. We have a fantastic reputation around the world,' Cooper concluded. 'The exhaustive efforts by the organizers and support of the sponsors of the Bermuda Gold Cup will solidify and reinforce this reputation. We thank the RBYC and Argo Group for allowing the BSA to partner in what I am sure will be a great success for the yacht club, the sponsors, the community and the sport of sailing in Bermuda.'

About The King Edward VII Gold Cup: http://www.bermudagoldcup.com
Stage 8 of the World Match Race Tour

The King Edward VII Gold Cup, now stage 8 of the World Match Race Tour sailed for the match-racing world championship, is the oldest match-racing competition in the world for one-design yachts. The trophy presented to the winning team was originally given at the Tri-Centenary Regatta at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1907 by King Edward VII in commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of the first permanent settlement in America. C. Sherman Hoyt, a renowned American sailor, won the regatta and was presented with this now historic cup.

Through the years Bermuda has won the Cup 21 times, the United States 17 times, New Zealand 10 times, Australia 5 times, the United Kingdom 3 times, and in 2002 Denmark claimed the King Edward VII Gold Cup for the first time. The 2006 winner was Ian Williams (UK) who defeated a fleet including the 2005 winner, Luna Rosa Skipper James Spithill, who in that year had shut out Russell Coutts’ incredible string of wins. Mathieu Richard of France became the third consecutive first-time winner of the King Edward VII Gold Cup in 2007.

The King Edward VII Gold Cup is the 8th out of 9 events on the 2008 World Match Race Tour’s World Championship schedule. It is sailed in Hamilton Harbour adjacent to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The venue brings world-class match racing close to shore where s