Peta Stuart-Hunt reports:   Competitor feedback is helping to steer Isle of Wight ‘Skandia Cowes Week’ 2-9 August 2008 improvements. 

Skandia Cowes Week is recognised as the ‘must do’ sailing regatta on the international sporting calendar.  It is the longest-running and largest sailing regatta of its kind in the World with the first ever Cowes Week being held in 1826.

This year Skandia Cowes Week will host around 1,000 competing yachts with 8,500 competitors; a diverse and unique blend of Olympic and world class yachtsmen through to weekend sailors.

Every year the Skandia Cowes Week regatta organisers analyse competitor feedback and, as a result, several initiatives have been taken on board for this year to further improve the event.

Courses in 2008 will be supplied to competitors as text messages 15 minutes before their class start as opposed to 10 minutes previously.  This should ensure that 99% of competitors will already have received their course before the warning signal. Declarations by mobile text message will now be possible in addition to online declarations and internet kiosks will once again be provided throughout Cowes for those who prefer to declare online.

To help cater for the less experienced crews in the IRC fleets, the organisers have permission from the Rating Office for entrants to opt to use their non-spinnaker rating.  This will have to be done at the time of initial entry and far enough before the start of the regatta to ensure the rule is not abused by people trying to optimise for heavy weather, if that is the forecast. If there are any new to IRC owners who are finding it daunting to complete the IRC application, the organisers are very willing to offer advice and assistance.

This year will also see the launch of the inaugural Liz Earle Close Shave Trophy which recognises high performance, tough competition, and achievement. This annual trophy will be awarded to the overall winner across all classes who grasps victory by the closest margin.
Building on the success of last year’s dedicated ferry service from Lymington direct to West Cowes, the service will once again be offered for the duration of the 2008 regatta.

Blue Funnel Cruises will operate this service from 2-9 August between the Lymington Town Harbour Masters Jetty and Trinity Landing, Cowes. Prices are £15 for a return, and £8 for a single with eight-day tickets available for £107.50 in advance. Tickets can also be purchased on the day. Bookings and timetables are available through the Blue Funnel Offices by email (link below) or by telephone on 023 8022 3278.

There will also be a spectator boat service for visitors who are interested in getting close to the racing action, laid on by Skandia Cowes Week in partnership with Solent Cruises.

For those wanting a more leisurely experience, the world’s smallest commercial paddle steamer Monarch, which is new to Cowes, will be taking visitors around the harbour and up into the River Medina to see the other side of Skandia Cowes Week. The pleasure cruises are on sheltered waters and aboard a 12-seater paddle steamer powered by a 100 year-old steam engine. Places are strictly limited, owing to the size of the vessel, therefore early booking is advised.

Both these services will run from Trinity Landing on Cowes Parade, with advance bookings possible from June.

Visit Skandia Cowes Week for further information.

Peta Stuart-Hunt:  Isle of Wight Event news @Island Pulse.

: Monday : April 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am.