News - 2014

10:37 Tuesday 6 Aug 2013 Sue Pelling/CWLBig Boat Series starts today

Igor Frolov's Swan 60 Bronenosec from Russia – photo Rick Tomlinson/CWL

The crews of some of the world’s most glamorous yachts are currently preparing to head out on the water for the start of the Big Boat Series.

This three-day event within Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week provides a valuable warm up exercise for those competing in the forthcoming Rolex Fastnet Race, which starts from Cowes on Sunday.

Unfortunately the planned race round the Isle of Wight scheduled for today looks unlikely to happen due to lack of wind on The Solent this morning, but if the predicted sea breeze arrives, there should be some decent racing for the Britannia Cup, which will be awarded to the winner of the combined race for IRC Class 0 and Class 1.

Those lining up for the series on the Brambles start line include: Azzam, Esmit Europa 2, Solent Events Master Project, Bella Mente, Ran, Caro, Hansa, Gladiator, 5 Degrees West, Pace, Secret Mens Business 3.5, Venomous, SGM, Tsaar Peter, Bronenosec.

Elsewhere in Cowes today the festival continues on shore with plenty of entertainment throughout the town. Spectators heading for the Parade and beyond along The Green will have to wait a while for the start sequence to begin today, but once the sea breeze starts to fill in, there should be some great racing to watch as the fleets head in a westerly direction and start to engage in serious battles along the shore.