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10:30 Monday 3 Aug 2015 Cowes Week PRFinance Challenge Forecasts Big Numbers At Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

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Over 200 professionals from some of the country’s largest financial institutions will be making their way to the world’s most famous sailing regatta next week, as they do battle in the second instalment of the Aberdeen Asset Management Finance Challenge.

The forecast is looking good for another bumper year as due to the success of the inaugural race in 2014, the 2015 event is not just being repeated, it is being staged over five days instead of one. Organised in partnership by Aberdeen Asset Management and Sunsail, the Official Charter Sailing Partner of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, twenty-two teams have already confirmed their entry in the races that take place from 10-14 August, 2015.

With an increase in entries in the Finance Challenge of 60% from last year, those that have confirmed entry this year include reigning champions Aberdeen Asset Management along with KPMG, Deloitte, Preston Capital Partners, BNP Paribas, Allianz and M&G amongst others. All will be looking to sail into the sunset with bragging rights in tow and can look forward to a daily prize giving at Sunsail’s hospitality area in the lively Cowes Yacht Haven, with the overall champions being awarded the perpetual Aberdeen Asset Management Finance Challenge Trophy on Friday 14th August.

Commenting on the uptake, Jill Maxwell, Global Head of Sponsorship at Aberdeen Asset Management said:

“Last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Finance Challenge was a big success, especially as we managed to cross the line in first place! To have a large number of entries in the new five day format is brilliant news and will create even more of an opportunity for finance professionals to compete against each other in a friendly, yet competitive race.”

All finance companies racing in the Sunsail Match First 40 class have been eligible to enter and Sunsail’s Events Director, Simon Boulding is looking forward to seeing who comes out on top.

“The Sunsail fleet is perfectly matched, creating the ideal platform for the crews to compete against each other on a level playing field,” said Boulding. “We are extremely pleased with the take-up of this year’s Finance Challenge and were sure all the individuals taking part will enjoy the racing but also the lively atmosphere of Cowes once back on dry land,” added Boulding.

Along with the bigger London firms making their way down to Cowes Week - the world’s oldest sailing regatta, local companies are also primed to take part and for Preston Capital Partners a strong crew has already been lined up. Christopher Preston, Principal of Preston Capital Partners, said,

“As a new company based in Cowes and involved in the finance industry, we are very pleased to participate in the Finance Challenge, and to support the event charity UKSA. Our entry will be crewed by members of Team Switzerland from the last Clipper Round the World Race, which was assisted by the company's earlier activities in Switzerland.”

Commenting on the racing, that will form part of a packed Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week schedule, Kate Johnson, Cowes Week Limited’s Commercial & Marketing Director said:

“The Finance Challenge at this year’s regatta will provide some great added interest for those finance companies taking part, giving our Official Charter Sailing Partner, Sunsail, an added competitive focus during the regatta.” “It will be interesting to see if team Aberdeen Asset Management can be beaten and who will come out on top with the new 5 day format!”