Enhanced online experience from Cowes

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week day 6 © Getty Images

Aberdeen Asset Management and Cowes Week Limited are delighted to announce some exciting new digital initiatives designed to improve online interaction with the world-famous Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Live online coverage

For the first time, live commentated action from the Royal Yacht Squadron and Bramble lines will be streamed to the event website at www.aamcowesweek.co.uk, thanks to additional support from Cowes Radio, Big Screen Media and Next Generation Results. This means that fans around the world can stay tuned to the race action as it unfolds, live and direct. A replay facility will also enable competitors to review their own start-line battles after they finish racing each day.

Michelle Warner, Sales & Marketing Director for Cowes Week Limited, commented: "For many years Cowes Radio has done an outstanding job of keeping our global audience updated and entertained over the airwaves with many thousands of people listening to the streamed audio coverage online. Our website has also worked hard to provide regular news updates throughout the day, complementing the live results data, photos and film footage for those who are unable to join us for all or part of the week. The introduction of live streaming of the action this year marks a step change in the connection that our online audience can enjoy with the regatta and we're delighted to be working with a great team of talented people to deliver what promises to be some very entertaining programming."

The live footage will be available on the home page of the event website for the duration of the regatta, generally between the hours of 10am to 4pm, with a replay available outside the times of live broadcasting.

Photo competition

In a further enhancement to the online interaction during the event, a new feature is being introduced on the event website which will allow budding photographers from the community of spectators and competitors to share their pictures of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on the event website. Thousands of pictures are taken each year by people watching and taking part, but thanks to investment from Aberdeen Asset Management, this is the first time that all these images will be available and searchable in one place on the event website.

As an added incentive, every picture uploaded will be entered into the new Aberdeen Asset Management Photography Competition which provides the chance to win some great prizes for the best images received. The challenge is to capture Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week through the theme of 'the spirit of the regatta' with judging categories for capturing the on-water racing action, the shore-side experience as well as an Under 18 category.

Double Olympic gold medallist, Shirley Robertson, will be joined by representatives from Aberdeen Asset Management, Getty Images, and Cowes Week Limited for judging the competition entries. The winner in each category will receive a £250 photography equipment voucher, with winners of the 'On-water' and 'Shore-side' categories also having the opportunity to shadow a professional photographer during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014. The runners up of each category will each receive a Gill sailing pack.

Commenting on the announcement, Jill Maxwell, Sponsorship and Events Manager at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: "We are thrilled to be launching the new photography competition which aims to engage both spectators and competitors alike through the sharing of photography. We always seek to find new ways to encourage creativity on and off the water, and we hope this inclusive competition will enhance everyone's experience at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes week."

More details of the competition can be found at aamcw.co/comps.

These new initiatives will provide a centre-piece for a new-look, interactive home page, designed to improve the online experience during the period of the event (3-10 August).