Cowes Week 2011 – Prince Philip's Dragon 'Bluebottle' on display

by Fiona Brown on 20 Jul 2011 Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2011 is being held on the Isle of Wight between 6th and 13th August.

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO, PC, is the owner of the famous Dragon 'Bluebottle' and in 2011 has celebrated his 90th birthday.

Aberdeen Asset Management has long been sponsors of the International Dragons, and this year the company has taken on sponsorship of Cowes Week.

'Bluebottle' is being specially transported from the Falmouth Maritime Museum and will take pride of place in the sponsors pavilion within the Cowes Yacht Haven Regatta Village at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2011.

What is Cowes Week?
Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events. From its Cowes, Isle of Wight home on the Solent it now stages up to 40 daily races for some 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is a fusion of many exciting elements, with it great mix of competitive sailing and social activities. The 8,500 competitors range from Olympic and world-class professionals to weekend sailors. In excess of 100,000 spectators come to watch the sailing, enjoying the parties and live entertainment, and to experience the unique atmosphere. It is genuinely a one-of-a-kind event - Dragon sailors are invited to come and see for themselves! Further information is available online.

Prince Philip and Dragons!
In 1948 Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were presented with 'Bluebottle', a Dragon built by Camper and Nicholson and paid for by members of the Island Sailing Club in Cowes. Today she is on loan from Prince Philip to the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, UK, where she can be seen on the Museum pontoon during the summer months and even has the occasional sail in fine weather.

Although Prince Philip did not sail her extensively, she was sailed by a number of crews, and even won a Bronze Medal in the Melbourne Olympics of 1956. 'Bluebottle' then spent nearly 40 years as a sail-training vessel at Britannia Royal Naval College until 2001 when she was lent to the Museum.

To find out more about Bluebottle please visit the National Maritime Museum website.

'Bluebottle' On Display During Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2011
Prince Philip has most generously consented to the loan of 'Bluebottle' to the Solent Dragon Association for the duration of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2011 and the boat will be on display at the Aberdeen Asset Management hospitality pavillion in Cowes Yacht Haven Regatta Village. Members of the public will be able to view 'Bluebottle' and learn about her history.

Dragon Dinner
To celebrate the Duke's nine decades - the Solent Dragon Fleet will be hosting a Bluebottle Champagne Reception and Dinner on Sunday 7th August, at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club - under the steady gaze of Princess Anne who's portrait hangs in the main reception.

The dinner is open to all Dragon sailors and their guests and to those with a special connection with Prince Philip's Dragon sailing history.

For further information and tickets for the gala dinner please contact Sommerville on rachel.sommerville@alburyhouse.co.uk

Join The UK Dragon Fleets For Summer 2011
Cowes Week forms part of a series of events around the UK and International Dragon sailors from across Europe are invited to join the fleet for any and all of the following regattas:-

23-25 July - South Coast Championship - Cowes, Isle of Wight - hosted by the Island Saling club

26-29 July - Cowes Classic Keelboat Regatta including The British Classic Dragon Championship for wooden boats (all Dragons invited to compete) - Cowes, Isle of Wight

6-13 August - Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week - Cowes, Isle of Wight

14-19 August - Aldeburgh Week - Aldeburgh, Suffolk

20-21 August - Yarmouth Regatta - Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

27-28 August - Solent Bank Holiday Regatta - Cowes, Isle of Wight

27 August-3 September - Burnham Week - Burnham On Crouch, Essex

For further information about the British Dragon Association please visit the British Dragon Association Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week website