A spectacular Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week
by Rupert Holmes 20 Aug 2011 03:43 AEST
6-13 August 2011
Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2011 will be remembered as one of the liveliest and most spectacular regattas of recent years. Blessed by superb racing conditions, which also made for some great spectating, the 2011 edition of the world’s best-known sailing regatta has been described as a vintage year; a great way to celebrate the first year of the new title sponsor.
During a week in which the wind speed regularly exceeded 20 knots, with gusts above 30 knots there were, at times, testing conditions. This did not put off competitors at the regatta however, who embraced the challenge.
Commenting on the Week, Stuart Quarrie, CEO of regatta organisers Cowes Week Limited said: “The week has gone extremely well. It’s been windy and testing but we’ve seen some fantastic sailing in the Solent. It has been great working with Aberdeen Asset Management and enjoying such a stellar week with them in their first year of title sponsorship. We look forward to more successful years ahead of us.”
Successes on the Water
Successes on the water numbered many and full details of the results and prize winners are available at www.aamcowesweek.co.uk. Several performances worthy of special mention include:
Dauntless, raced by Giles Peckham, Milo Carver and Richard Romer-Lee were undefeated in the 23-strong Daring class throughout the Week which won them not only a class win and the overall White Group win, but also saw them scoop the newly-introduced Aberdeen Asset Management Overall Winner Trophy. In addition to the silverware, Peckham left the overall prize-giving with plenty of booty too, courtesy of the event sponsors. Items included a magnum of Piper Heidsieck champagne, a bottle of Mount Gay Extra Old, Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and an official BOSS Watches Regatta watch.
The winner of the Overall Black Group Trophy was the popular local crew racing Panther in the ISCRS fleet and the boat that grasped victory by the closest margin and was announced as the winner of the Liz Earle Close Shave Trophy was Amethyst racing in the 14-strong Mermaid fleet.
The XOD Class saw a larger fleet size than ever witnessed before or likely to be seen again at the regatta with 145 entries in this special Centenary year. There were a number of names jostling for pole position throughout the week, but the boat to score victory at the end of the regatta was Phoenix sailed by the young crew of Chris Froy, Andrew Shaw & Alan Roberts.
The Young Skipper’s Trophy was awarded for the second year running to 15 year-old Fred Warren-Smith of the Squib Class. Fred narrowly missed out on an overall victory in the Squib Class this year to Lady Penelope.
A happy new title sponsor
Aberdeen Asset Management was delighted with the success of their first year of title sponsorship. Commenting on the successful completion of the regatta, Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer, Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “We’re delighted with our first year here. There’s such a broad range of activities for our clients, competitors and spectators alike. It’s been fantastic to support the regatta, help the XODs celebrate their Centenary year, and to see the Aberdeen Asset Management Extreme 40 racing close to shore, providing some thrills and spills for the crowds of spectators. We’re looking forward to working in partnership with Cowes Week Limited to continue developing the regatta as a world class event.”
Upping the ante with activities ashore
In addition to the competition on the water, Cowes hosted a broad mix of onshore entertainment.
A slight break in tradition saw the Red Arrows perform their sensational aerobatics display on the first Saturday of the regatta which provided the perfect opening to the week.
The event’s first-ever Family Day on Sunday 7 August was heralded a great success with fun activities ashore and afloat for family visitors to the event.
The presence ashore from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority was a huge hit with crowds lining up to have their photos taken with falcons, names written in Arabic, and henna tattoos, all for free. The presence of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority was to encourage visitors to plan their trip to the Abu Dhabi Volvo Ocean Race stopover, over the New Year.
Other sponsor activities included sale of the official event merchandise range courtesy of Gill, promotion of the official Regatta watch by BOSS Watches, and introduction of Sperry Top-Sider’s extensive premium footwear range to the UK market.
On the final Friday of the regatta, Talisker, the only single malt Scotch whisky made by the sea on the Isle of Skye, hosted the world’s first-ever sail-in cinema at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. Over 100 boats moored up to experience this world first and, with a 12.5m x 6.4m screen erected off Cowes Esplanade, boaters were treated to a unique screening of the fitting picture Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Followed by the annual fireworks display, it was a fantastic celebration to mark a remarkable week of sailing.
Date for the Diary
Next year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week will take place from 11-18 August 2012. Organisers of the regatta are inviting feedback to help build on this year’s success. The online survey can be accessed via www.aamcowesweek.co.uk