News

09:30 Wednesday 5 Aug 2015 Sue PellingTeams head into Cowes as countdown to regatta begins

With just a few days to go until the start of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, the festival spirit on the Isle of Wight is starting to build, writes Sue Pelling.

Boats are beginning to arrive en-masse and, although it is not quite at the ‘standing room only’ stage in the High Street bars, there are definite signs that the show is about to commence.

A particularly interesting entry list is lining up including a 50-strong international fleet from 18 different countries. Netherlands has the biggest international team and includes regulars such as Piet Vroon’s Ker 51 Custom – Tonnerre 4, and Harry J Heijst’s pretty S&S 41 – Winsome.

Should a prize for the furthest travelled be awarded however, a prime candidate would undoubtedly be Team Legacy from Trinidad and Tobago whose team, led by Reginald Williams, sailed their Soverel 43 across the Atlantic to compete.

Three state-of the-art Maxi 72s (Jethou, Momo and Bella Mente), and the VO70 – Solent Events Monster – will keep the competition exciting in the IRC Big Boat racing class, while at the other end of the scale, the vintage Seaview Mermaids will fight it out. Having been competing at Cowes Week since 1907, the Mermaid class is the oldest class at the regatta and, with 14 boats entered, racing is expected to be extremely competitive.

One of the most historically interesting boats to watch out for is the Contessa 32 Assent. The last time she lined up at the start at Cowes week was in 1979 just prior to the tragic Fastnet race when she was the only boat to finish in Class 5. Willy Ker, the then owner, went on to clock up over a 100,000 nautical miles on her including, a particularly epic singlehanded trip to Greenland when he was 85 years old. Ker recently sold the boat to Kit and Jessie Rogers who carried out a major refit. She is now back in sparkling condition ready for the Week and will be raced by 10 members of the Rogers family including Jeremy Rogers – the class boat builder.

The Squib class always attracts an interesting entry and this year is no exception. Because it is such an inclusive class with a good mix of male and females skippers, families, youngsters and, of course, champions, entry numbers are strong, with 30 boats taking part this year.

Squib sailors Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey, who not only won their class and White Group for the last two years also won Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week overall, are back in town ready to defend their title.

Hutchings commented: “Naturally it would be good to do well again, but the most important aspect for us is to enjoy good, competitive racing. We love the regatta-style course format and, with an increased number of entries this year, we’re expecting more exceptional racing.”