News - 2012

10:27 Tuesday 14 Aug 2012 Sue Pelling/CWLAberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week Day 4 outlook

Competitors are making the most of the light southerly breeze and early morning sun as they make their way out to the start line for the fourth day of racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

The highlight of the day in class IRC 0 is the Britannia Cup. Competition for this prestigious piece of silverware is likely to be intense with the likes of Peter Cunningham and team in his TP52 Powerplay hoping to repeat their performance from the first three days, which has seen them take three wins.

As the racing in both the White and Black groups enters its midway point, there are distinct patterns beginning to emerge. The current leader of Black Group is Bernard Olesinski’s X40 Xinska, skippered by Rupert Morgan. Ziva, the Victory class, owned by Mark and Jo Dennington, and Jim Downing, leads White Group.

The competition for the new Under 25 Trophy, is one of the most closely fought battles taking place this week. The current leader in the 13-strong fleet is William Goldsmith and his young team aboard Exess a J/80.

Competitors will face a similar weather pattern to yesterday with relatively light southerly winds of around 7-10 knots. While there will be many sunny spells, there may also be showers this afternoon and, as the air mass is quite unstable, these could merge to give longer periods of rain this afternoon.

Black Group is racing in the western Solent, on a slightly longer course than yesterday, finishing on a favourable tide across the Royal Yacht Squadron line, while White Group is in the eastern Solent finishing on the Shrape line off East Cowes.

Activities on shore continue to draw the crowds to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. The music on Cowes Parade starts at 1200, and runs throughout the day until 2300. The Black Knights Royal Artillery Parachute Display Team will be in action off Cowes Parade at 1930.

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, with live performances from Martinez, Travel Sick Rick, and The All Stars.