Zara Phillips (from left), Ian Walker, Kate Macgregor, Annie Lush, Dee Caffari, Lucy Macgregor and Nick Dempsey. Image: isle of Wight Photo Agency.
It’s Ladies Day and Zara Phillips was in Cowes this morning to see the action at the start of the Artemis Challenge.
A host of other Olympic guests from Team GB are also at the event including silver medallist Nick Dempsey and the women’s match Racing team of Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Kate Macgregor. Also on the water today is TV presenter Dan Snow and global record-breaking British skippers, Dee Caffari, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Brian Thompson, and Ian Walker.
The weather conditions are still relatively unstable but the wind has dropped significantly for some great racing during the annual Cowes Week Ladies Day.
Watching Artemis Challenge Action.
Zara, who has competed in this 50-mile sprint round the Isle of Wight in previous years, saw the fleet of MOD 70s and IMOCA 60s as they engaged in battle off the line and headed off in an anti-clockwise direction around the island.
Each MOD 70 trimaran and IMOCA 60 monohull is paired up and racing as a team, and the £12,000 prize fund charity will be split across the winning team based on cumulative elapsed time and the fastest time for the MOD70 and IMOCA 60 division.
The MOD 70s are expected to arrive back across the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line at approximately 1230.
Ladies Day
As well as the Artemis Challenge, to mark the occasion of Ladies Day there will be a host of celebrations taking place including a special Ladies Day lunch at Northwood House, and the presentation of the Ladies Day Trophy at the Talisker Boathouse. This award recognises the outstanding contribution, commitment or achievement of women in sailing.
Other Ladies Day activities include on the water spot prizes courtesy of Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare, and Champagne Lanson and there will also be ladies discounts on offer with the event’s clothing partner Gill.
The music on Cowes Parade starts at 1200, and runs throughout the day until 2300, while in Cowes Yacht Haven there’s a chance to take part in free whisky mentoring sessions starting from 1200 in The Talisker Boathouse on the hour, every hour. The Gill Stage in Cowes Yacht Haven has a full programme of music scheduled from 1430, with live performances from JC & Angeline, the Hot Shots and Soul Lounge Party. The Events Centre at Cowes Yacht Haven will also host a comedy night this evening.
Image: Island Pulse Cowes Week Daily Photo Galleries click here: Isle of Wight Photo Agency.
: Zara Phillips (from left), Ian Walker, Kate Macgregor, Annie Lush, Dee Caffari, Lucy Macgregor and Nick Dempsey.
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