Sail for Gold Bar is back at Skandia Cowes Week

by Beth Woodeson on 15 Jul 2006 The Skandia Cowes Week Sail for Gold Bar is back on the Parade this Cowes Week for the fourth year running, packed with exciting new features for 2006.

As well as a free Heineken Water Taxi service and gourmet food served throughout the day, the bar boasts an internet kiosk, live music from 12 noon till late, a crew-reunited board and a relaxed sundeck.

In addition, the bar will be showing sailing footage on its 2 plasma screens and will have British Squad Sailors in training for the 2008 and 2012 Olympics behind the bar every night from 6-7pm. The bar is open from 28 July – 5 August from 10am until midnight and 5% of profits go to Skandia Team GBR 2008 – the Olympic and Paralympic sailing team in preparation for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Organised by Cowes company Mainsail Ltd., the Sail for Gold Bar on Cowes Parade during Skandia Cowes Week has well and truly made its mark on the traditional festivities over the past few years.

As one of the only venues in Cowes with a waterfront location and an outstanding view of the start line – the bar’s aesthetics are reason enough to settle there for a drink or two. There is something for keen yachting enthusiasts or those who just want to settle in the sun and spend time with friends and family. The decked garden area is surrounded by stunning oak flower planters and filled with ample rustic seating with smart parasols for those who need a break from the sunshine.

Event Manager, Beth Woodeson says:

'The bar itself is slick and sophisticated with well trained staff and permanent smiles! The bar list is extensive and the menu ranges from delicious bar bite nibbles to mouth watering salads and BBQ dishes prepared in front of you. Table service is available and the service is like that of a permanent and well established restaurant.'

To complement the setting is live music every day from 12pm until late on the Bandstand.

During the day the eclectic mix provides a great backdrop to your relaxed afternoon in the sun and then in the evening transforms the bar into a lively and fun venue.

The bar will also have an internet kiosk so that competitors can sign in and view the results from the comfort of the bar. Yes – they really have thought of everything!

If all of the above wasn’t enough reason to pop in to the Skandia Cowes Week Sail for Gold bar then perhaps the fact that 5% of the bar’s profits each year goes towards supporting ‘Sail for Gold’ would sway you.

The ‘Sail for Gold’ campaign is the fundraising arm of Skandia Team GBR and provides invaluable support to British Squad Sailors in training for the Olympics and Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. So by relaxing in your favourite watering hole during Skandia Cowes Week you are also helping Skandia Team GBR 2008 campaign to Sail for Gold!

Every night in the bar, from 6pm until 7pm, members of Skandia Team GBR take a break from their training for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in order to help out behind the bar and take part in a cocktail competition!

Out on the water, the Heineken RIB is available to pick you up from your vessel and transport you straight to the brand new Trinity House pontoon directly outside the bar. The RIB is available on 07984 882031 between 3pm and 9pm every day.

The Sail for Gold Bar is situated in the heart of the Parade village amidst retail units, food outlets and the Skandia Team GBR 2008 hospitality unit.

It lies directly next to the convenient and frequent Sailbus service that travels around the local area collecting and returning spectators and visitors to the event and is adjacent to the new landing point on Cowes Parade.

Website: http://www.sailforgoldbar.co.uk