Cowes Week 2011 numbers up

by AAM Cowes Week on 19 Apr 2011 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Cowes Week Limited (CWL) looks forward to welcoming a wide range of local and international competitors to this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. Entry numbers for this year’s event are already up by 60% on the same time last year and a number of the enthusiastic early entries are promising an exciting regatta in 2011.

Quick off the mark this year was Andy Moore who submitted an entry for his Beneteau First 40 Tilt within seconds of entries going live. Andy and his brother Alex are experienced cruising sailors based in Cowes, but the 2010 event was the first time that both they, and their brand new boat, had raced at Cowes Week. They finished the Week in a respectable 13th position in the 31-strong IRC Class 2 and are looking forward to improving their ranking in 2011.

Commenting on why they enjoy the regatta so much, Andy said: 'We like Cowes Week because there are lots of willing crew among our friends and family and the racing is very competitive.'

CWL is also delighted to welcome three entries from Toe in the Water, the official charity for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. The charity uses sailing as an integral part of the rehabilitation for injured servicemen and will have up to 20 servicemen racing on two J80s (from the UKSA) as well as Atomic, a Farr 45 generously loaned by private owner Tony Langley.

Round the World legends Dee Caffari MBE and Brian Thompson will be at the helm at various times during the week. Dee has recently competed in the Barcelona World Race and became the only woman ever to have completed four circumnavigations of the world.

She commented: 'Having raced with the guys last year, I have already seen first-hand the positive impact of being back in a competitive environment. The calibre of the able-bodied volunteers combined with the drive and determination of the injured crew makes for some really competitive racing. I am really proud to be one of the charity’s ambassadors and I can’t wait to be dipping my Toe in the Water again at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week!'

Another entry that didn’t waste any time in signing-up this year is the full under-18 crew of the Impala 28 Uproar who, between them, have an average age of just 16 and could possibly be the youngest crew to race at this year's event. The Uproar team is comprised of Henry Sheppard (Helm, 16), Robbie Southwell (Tactics, Main trim and Crew boss, 16), Max Rimington (Jib trim and Spin trim, 18), Lewis Fitzgerald (Pit and sewer, 14), and Bradley McLaughlin (Bow and mast, 16).

The team has a good mix of local and international racing experience and are all excited about taking part. Henry Sheppard said: 'I am really excited to be racing in this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week as I am helming in my first big event. Having Robbie Southwell as crew boss is great; he knows the Solent like the back of his hand which means the tactics should be tip-top (well, hopefully!).'

It’s also looking like there will be a strong international contingent at this year’s event, with entries already received from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and Norway. To help European entries with their travel costs, competitors using ferry travel from the continental mainland to get to the regatta can take advantage of a 20% discount with LD Lines on routes from Dieppe and Le Havre. Please contact the Regatta Centre for further details.

More information on the inaugural Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week will be announced over the next few months. Don’t forget to enter before 17:00 on Monday 13 June in order to benefit from the discounted Early Bird entry AAM Cowes Week