News - 2014

09:00 Wednesday 16 Apr 2014 CWLBe part of the 2014 regatta for a day or more

Spring has sprung in Cowes and with the long Easter weekend fast approaching, attentions are turning to the sailing season ahead. At Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week HQ, Cowes Week Limited is working hard to make sure this year’s regatta is the best yet.

The 2014 regatta runs from 2 – 9 August, and competitors who would find committing to the whole week difficult have the option to take part in as much or as little of the Week as time permits. Entries are accepted for individual days of racing, and those opting to race in the regatta for four or more days will pay the same entry fee regardless of the number of extra days raced - effectively providing the option to race for half of the eight day regatta for free.*

Following the popular introduction of a different style of competition on the final Saturday of the regatta last year, racing on this day (9 August) will again cost just £30 and will take place over a relatively short course (2-3 hours). A simple race format is planned - along the lines of NAB Tower and back - with the actual course being chosen on the day to suit the weather conditions. The day is designed to allow everyone to enjoy an introductory taste of racing at the world’s best-known regatta, with plenty of silverware to be played for.

For sailors with the passion but not the tools - or for the growing numbers of international sailors who want to take part in the regatta without the hassle of bringing their boat across to the UK - there are plenty of options to charter a wide range of different boats for individual days or for the whole week. Many one-design boats are available to charter on a private basis, and enquiries may be made through the Regatta Centre. In addition, Britannia Corporate Events and Solent Events, the official charter suppliers to the regatta, both offer a comprehensive range of charter options for experienced sailors on a bareboat, as well as for those newer to the sport on professionally skippered boats. Sunsail also offers racing within its own dedicated class.

For individuals keen to join a crew for the Week, the crewsearch forum on the event website is an invaluable tool that matches available crew with those boats searching for extra crew for the Week.

Sailors wanting to take part and join the growing number of almost 200 boats already signed-up for this year’s regatta are encouraged to submit their entry within the Early Bird discounted period which ends at midnight on Monday 26 May.