Skandia Life Cowes Week August 3-10 2002

by Press Release on 27 Apr 2002 The organisers of Skandia Life Cowes Week admit that without the support of its sponsors, entry fees would have to rise to draconian levels and services would need to be reduced.

Speaking on behalf of Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC), Director Stuart Quarrie says that sponsorship continues to play a vital role in the modern Cowes Week. CCC are therefore especially delighted that the Events long-term title sponsor, Skandia Life, has recently signed up for a further three-year period of sponsorship, giving the regatta financial stability until at least 2005.

Cowes Week Sponsorship Limited is now actively promoting opportunities for additional supporting sponsorships of this prestigious annual regatta which attracts around 8,000 competitors and a minimum 66,000 visitors during the eight-day Event held annually in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Skandia Life investing in The Home of World Yachting

With an injection of £1.5 million over the next three years, Skandia Life is one of the longest serving sponsors of any sailing event, and has become an established and respected name in yachting circles.

Maintaining its sponsorship of Skandia Life Cowes Week (SLCW) is very important to Skandia, especially as the event itself represents the
company's core values of passion, courage, creativity, contribution and commitment.

Such consistent sponsorship over the last eight years has brought with it the opportunity to grow and evolve the event further, something Skandia is very proud of.

In 2002, Skandia will build on the success of previous years and the strong sporting aspects of the event they have nurtured. One area that Skandia will work hard on this year is in giving something back to the competitors. This will be through a unique scheme that will accentuate Skandia's corporate beliefs.

Champagne Mumm ­ Signed up for another three years

MUMM Champagne has sponsored yacht racing at Cowes for 25 years, making this one of the longest associations between a brand and a sport. The company is delighted to announce the renewal of a three year agreement to be a supporting sponsor and the official champagne of Skandia Life Cowes Week from 2002. Champagne Mumm will be at the heart of the week¹s celebrations.

Renowned for its vitality, quality and finesse, MUMM Champagne has a heritage of supporting top international regattas, the famous round-the-world yacht races and is best known for its support of the Mumm 30, a popular, international class of high- tech racing yachts. There are nearly 200 Mumm 30s worldwide and the UK Class enjoys coming together and competing at Skandia Life Cowes Week.

The House of Mumm has produced top quality champagne since 1827. In 1998, the current cellarmaster, Dominique Demarville, took over responsibility for wine-making, blending and bottling. As the youngest chef des caves in champagne, he has taken the quality and reputation of Champagne Mumm to new heights. As one of the top three champagne brands in the world, the combination of great taste, exhilaration and dynamic activity makes Mumm the ultimate champagne of choice for competitors who live life to the full!

Henri-Lloyd - Official Technical Clothing Supplier

2001 was an exciting first year for Henri-Lloyd as the Official Technical Clothing Supplier to Skandia Life Cowes Week. The Company opened the Henri-Lloyd Sailing Store in Cowes and Henri-Lloyd Rapid Breathing scored a hat-trick by winning the Melges class for the third time.

Skandia Life Cowes Week 2002 looks like being just as busy for the Henri-Lloyd team. In January, the company launched its new range at the London International Boat Show, including the award-winning TP3 products and these will be available from the Cowes Shop and Aquatogs in Cowes High Street. The Henri-Lloyd Sailing Store stocks a selection of both the marine technical and the fashion collections and is open every day throughout the Week.

Henri-Lloyd will also be supporting the official charity for The Week ­ the Cowes Inshore Lifeboat ­ by providing some Henri-Lloyd goodie bags and accessories for prizes for the charity's fundraising.

Ocean World ­ Official Merchandiser

Ocean World has been supplying clothing to Cowes Week since 1976, and is delighted to again be an official merchandiser and sub-sponsor for Skandia Life Cowes Week. All of the skipper bags supplied to the competitors are also produced by Ocean World.

Based in the centre of Cowes High Street, the company bought world-famous yachting outfitters Morgan & Sons ten years ago. The latter has yachting traditions going back to 1820, and held many warrants for Europe's yachting royal families. Ocean World specialises in providing event clothing and 'made to order' crew uniforms in club, team, or sponsor colours.

As well as supplying Skandia Life Cowes Week, the company also supplies hundreds of yacht clubs and associations, and major events such as the Fastnet Race, Antigua Sailing Week, Swan Regattas, Commodores' Cup and Kiel Week, for example. Very few yachting wardrobes are complete without some element of Ocean World clothing.

Ocean World also hosts the annual Crew Ball during The Week ­ an event not to be missed by those who sail hard, and then want to play hard!

OMEGA announced as Official Timekeeper.

Omega Watches continue their long-standing sailing heritage as they are announced as the Official Timekeeper of Skandia Life Cowes Week for the third year in succession.

Omega¹s history of timekeeping has seen them timing some of the world¹s leading sporting events. Once again Omega will be holding this prestigious position of Official Timekeeper at the America¹s Cup in 2003 as well as being on the wrists of the defending champions, Team New Zealand.

Pieces from the Omega collection will be housed at the Omega stand within Cowes Yacht Haven, along with an exhibition presenting Omega's history of sailing and sports timekeeping. Omega will be making several exciting announcements regarding the America¹s Cup as well as presenting new products to the collection.

Since the Omega Seamaster was launched in 1932, it has been a watch to live up to the most rugged challenges and Omega will prove once again the ideal choice for the role of ŒOfficial Timekeeper¹ of Skandia Life Cowes Week 2002.

Timberland ­ Official Footwear Sponsor

Since 1995, Timberland, the lifestyle brand for the rugged outdoors, has been the Official Footwear Sponsor to Skandia Life Cowes Week. With a heritage as rich as that of Cowes Week, Timberland celebrates a history that extends nearly 30 years. With the finest leather and genuine New England craftsmanship, Timberland created the first waterproof leather boot, which now makes it the world famous brand it is today.

In 1979, using premium leathers with functional constructions to exceptional standards, Timberland produced what has now become an American classic - the boat shoe. Designed to withstand the elements, they feature a hand-stitched moccasin construction for a fit that gets more comfortable with time and their rubber siped outsoles provide excellent traction, whether you're on wet decks or dry land. Like all Timberland footwear, these boat shoes are durable and long lasting wherever you take them, dockside or otherwise. As seen year after year,
they are the essential accessory to Skandia Life Cowes Week for sailors and spectators alike.

The latest Timberland footwear and clothing is available during Skandia Life Cowes Week from the Timberland Cabin in the Yacht Haven. If you visit Newport during the Regatta, visit the VISUAL IMPACT stores at 20 St Thomas Square or 3-4 Watchbell Lane, for the latest range of Timberland high-quality products.

Wightlink is first choice for travel & holidays across the Solent

The UK's largest independently owned domestic ferry operator - Wightlink ­ is for the sixth successive year a sponsor of Skandia Life Cowes Week, sponsoring the finishi