News - 2012

09:00 Monday 26 Mar 2012 Michelle WarnerAberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week celebrates the Best of British in 2012

Entries have opened for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, one of the longest-running events in British sporting history. Highlights for this year’s event include a ‘Best of British’ theme for the regatta and a new initiative rewarding young crews, the Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25 Trophy. This year’s event takes place from the 11th until the 18th August, which is later than normal as a result of the London Olympic Games.

Best of British

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2012 follows hot on the heels of the London Olympic Games and provides a great opportunity to celebrate one of Team GB’s historically most successful Olympic sports. The Closing Ceremony of the Games will be shown on big screens throughout Cowes on Sunday 12 August which will coincide with special Family Day activities.

The official event charity, Toe in the Water, will be holding a “Best of British” crew party on Friday 17 August, plus there will be a chance to see some of the Olympic sailing heroes in Cowes towards the end of the week. In this special Olympic year, Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is also waiving the entry fee for the first ten entries received from past British sailing Olympians.

Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25 Trophy

Following the announcement that Aberdeen Asset Management is to extend its sponsorship of the event to a five-year partnership through to 2015, the company is introducing a brand new initiative in 2012 to support young crews.  The first 10 crews to enter consisting entirely of under 25-year-old sailors will be eligible for assistance from Aberdeen with their entry fee to the regatta. Crews will also receive free crew kit and have the chance to compete for the newly introduced Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25 Trophy. 

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said of the initiative: “We are delighted to be encouraging and enabling more young crews to enter the regatta and compete for the new Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25 Trophy. It is our hope that this scheme will help nurture some of the sailing talent of the future.”

Stuart Quarrie, CEO of Cowes Week Limited (CWL) added: “It is fantastic that Aberdeen Asset Management is supporting young sailors at the regatta. It is a great opportunity for a number of young crews to get a truly rewarding experience at this event and at a reduced cost.”

Aberdeen Prize Giving

In addition, Aberdeen Asset Management will be hosting a series of daily class prize-givings throughout the week in their hospitality marquee. Winning boats from selected classes will be invited into the marquee as guests of Aberdeen Asset Management, to be presented with some of the regatta’s most coveted trophies and have their achievements celebrated as they enjoy the entertainment on offer.

Class Changes

Following feedback from many of the smaller IRC and ISCRS boats taking part in the regatta, Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week has created a new class for these boats. The fleet will race under IRC and comprise boats with a minimum hull length of 6 metres and with an IRC rating of between 0.700 and 0.859. An open sportsboat class is also being introduced with IRC as the rating system. This will be for boats with a maximum hull length of 8.5 metres and with a displacement to length ratio of 160 or less.

Big Boats

A good mix of big boats are expected at this year’s regatta, including some participants from the Copa del Rey in Palma who are planning to head to Cowes to enjoy some racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. CWL are also in discussion with the TP52 and IRC 52 classes to encourage sufficient entries for them to have their own class at the regatta.

 Reducing Costs

A number of savings have been introduced this year to help reduce the overall cost of taking part in the regatta in these challenging economic times.

• A new entry fee structure keeping the standard entry fee for all classes at the same level as 2011
• A 20% discount for all entries received before Monday 4th June
• Half price numerals for those racing under IRC (thanks to a new relationship with Bainbridge International)
• A discount on berthing at Shepards Wharf Marina and East Cowes Marina for bookings made before Monday 4thJune (Prices at Cowes Yacht Haven are also under review);
• A 10% discount for competitors on Red Funnel vehicle crossings from Southampton during the period 8th - 15tthAugust (for bookings made before Monday 4thJune)
• A 20% discount from LD Lines on routes from Dieppe and Le Havre for international competitors
• Free branding on team clothing from event clothing partner, Gill, plus 15% off the Race Collection at gillmarine.com.

The Notice of Regatta, including a detailed news update, is now available for download here.