TNG Swiss Watches are partnering with Cowes Week Ltd to provide a Newcomers Trophy, to be awarded to the boat with the best overall result racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week for the first time in 2016.
Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week has always welcomed first-timers and the team are on hand throughout the week to provide any additional support that crews racing for the first time might need. The “First Timers Guide” available on the website provides detailed information on everything a newcomer needs to know. This year the new TNG Swiss Watches Trophy will provide special recognition for those who are new to Cowes Week.
Kate Johnson, Commercial & Marketing Director at Cowes Week Ltd commented
“While many crews race here year after year, we are always delighted when new boats come to Cowes Week. This year we are pleased to to be able to recognise the most successful newcomer by awarding the Newcomers Trophy, generously supported by TNG Swiss Watches”
Inspired by a passion for water sports and sailing in particular, TNG Swiss Watches has developed and produced in direct collaboration with their own Swiss watch makers an outstanding, high-quality range of watches. TNG Swiss Watches is the new benchmark for nautical time pieces. The entire collection comprises 15 models, divided into ‘Classic’ and ‘Sport’.
While boats are very welcome to enter for the whole week, or as many days as they choose, the last Saturday of Cowes Week has always been a popular sailing day for boat owners who haven’t raced before, or who worry about entering the cut and thrust of the full Cowes Week series for the first time. The idea of encouraging entries on this single day is to allow owners to experience sailing at the event in a less-pressured environment. To encourage first timers there’s also a reduced entry fee of only £40 for the day’s racing, irrespective of boat size. It’s therefore an excellent day on which to try out racing your yacht for the first time.
Similarly, as some of the IRC classes finish their series on the Friday, the last Saturday sees a slightly smaller number of entries which makes it an ideal day for boat owners and crew to experience Cowes Week for the first time. With reduced fleet sizes and a more relaxed feel, new names are able to rise to the front of their respective fleets.
“It was fantastic winning a Cowes Week race, considering this was my first year of owning Party,” says Claire Turner, whose Beneteau First 35 Party won IRC Class 4 on the final Saturday of the regatta last year. “Myself and the majority of the crew were previously Squib racers, so for us to win a Cowes Week race in our first year with Party was completely fabulous.”
For earlier news stories, as well as results, videos and photographs from previous years, visit our comprehensive Regatta Archive.