Competitor feedback helps to steer improvements
Every year the Skandia Cowes Week regatta organisers spend a considerable amount of time analysing competitor feedback and, as a result, look at different ways in which they can further improve the event. All comments are factored into the decision-making process for tweaks and changes that will improve the event for everyone concerned.
Some examples taken on board for this year include:
* Courses in 2008 will be supplied to competitors as text messages 15 minutes before their class start (it was previously 10 minutes prior). 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. Internet kiosks will once again be provided throughout Cowes for the convenience of those who prefer to declare online.
* To help cater for the less experienced crews in the IRC fleets, the regatta organisers have received 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.
“Close Shave Trophy” recognises high performance, tough competition and achievement
The regatta organisers are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Liz Earle “Close Shave Trophy”. This annual trophy will be awarded to the overall winner across all classes who grasps victory by the closest margin. The Liz Earle Close Shave Trophy will recognise high performance, tough competition and achievement, and will be presented at the overall prize giving at the end of the week, together with a goodie bag for each of the crew. These will contain Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare products formulated using the highest quality naturally active ingredients offering easy-to-use, high performance products that deliver outstanding results.
Lymington-Cowes Ferry service is confirmed for 08
Building on the success of the dedicated Skandia Cowes Week Ferry service from Lymington direct to West Cowes in 2007, the service will once again be offered for the duration of the 2008 regatta. Blue Funnel Cruises will operate this service in association with Skandia Cowes Week from Sat 2nd – Sat 9th August between the Lymington Town Harbour Masters Jetty and Trinity Landing, Cowes.
Prices are £15 for a return, and £8 for a single with 8-day tickets available for £107.50 in advance the timetable from the Blue Funnel Offices (Tel: 44 (0)23 8022 3278 or email: office@bluefunnel.co.uk). Tickets can also be purchased on the day.
Event lays on spectator boat service or climb aboard a paddle steamer at Trinity Landing
If visitors are interested in getting close to the racing action, Skandia Cowes Week - in partnership with Solent Cruises - is once again laying-on an event spectator boat service.
For those wanting an even 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 www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk for further information.
FACTS & STATS
* Skandia Cowes Week 2008 is Skandia’s 14th and final year as title sponsor.
* Skandia Cowes Week’s supporting sponsors include: Champagne G.H. Mumm, Henri-Lloyd, Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare, Volkswagen Touareg, Wightcable, and the Isle of Wight Council.
* The Ellen MacArthur Trust (EMT) is the Event Charity. The 2008 EMT Charity Day is on Monday 4 August.
The Trust takes young people, aged from 8-18 years, to help them regain their confidence, on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness. The Trust was launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur in January 2003.
* 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.
* Onshore, Skandia Cowes Week has a unique party atmosphere that is a celebration of sailing at its best. There is something for everyone, whether you are a serious racer, weekend warrior or spectator, Skandia Cowes Week is a must that won't disappoint.
* Over the course of the Week, 100,000 people come to watch the racing and enjoy the festival shoreside atmosphere. This includes around 50,000 who come mainly to watch the famous fireworks display which will be staged, in keeping with tradition, on the final Friday of the Event, 8 August.
* Ladies Day is held on Thursday, 7 August as a celebration of women in sailing. One third of the 8,500 competitors at Skandia Cowes Week are female.
* Around 15-20 separate courses are set on an average day in the Solent, one of the busiest stretches of water in the world.
* Whilst there is a shortage of Champagne in the world this year, there’ll still be plenty available at Skandia Cowes Week with Champagne G.H. Mumm estimating that over 50,000 glasses will be consumed over the eight days.
* Live bands play to huge audiences across the key venues of Cowes Yacht Haven, The Parade, and Shepards Wharf Marina.
* It is estimated by the Southern Tourist Board that the Event contributes around £60 million to the Isle of Wight economy.
* Skandia Cowes Week is the flagship event for the Skandia Set Sail programme that aims to offer people more opportunities to participate in the sport on a broader level. The objectives of the Skandia Set Sail Campaign are to make sailing more accessible, grow the sport's reach and enrich peoples' lives through the sport. www.skandiasetsail.com