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10:07 Saturday 13 Aug 2016 Sue Pelling/AAMCWGrowing popularity for Saturday-only racing

Photo – Paul Wyeth/AAMCW

Newcomers to sailing who are keen to their hand at racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week are today giving it a go. Those new to racing who are a bit concerned about the pressure of having nearly 800 other boats around to contend with during the Week, have signed up for the final ‘taster’ day.

This event is aimed at those who have boats rated under the Island Sailing Club Rating System (ISCRS) who want to compete but who are totally new to racing. It is very much a part of the regatta but the courses are less complex to make the whole experience easy.

But it is not just newcomers to sailing who are out racing at Cowes Week for the first time today, organisers have made it possible for racing sailors who were unable to sign up for the entire week, to race the final Saturday only.

Peter Dickson – Chairman Cowes Week Ltd and Cowes Combined Clubs Ltd – who has been tied up with obvious commitments this week says, the final Saturday only option has allowed him to compete at least once this week:

“It is the only day I can get away from my duties on the platform, so it is brilliant to be able to take part on the last Saturday to see what everyone else has been enjoying all week.

“Although there is racing for cruisers all week in Div A and Div B, the last Saturday is Cowes Town Regatta so it is a little bit more informal and it means we have an especially low entry fee to attract new comers. The idea is, for £40 you can enter your boat, use the same handicap as used in the Round the Island Race, if you did it, and come and see if you like it. If you do, then hopefully you’ll come back the following year and enter the Week.

“The good thing for newcomers is there are a good few less boats out today. It is nice and quiet and generally a lot less pressure. One of the great things is also is the fact that all starts, and finishes I think, are on the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, which is very impressive for first timers to Cowes Week.”

Newcomers to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week regatta this week have also been flat out racing for the inaugural TNG Newcomer’s Trophy. This stunning-looking TNG Swiss Watches Newcomers Trophy, and a highly desirable TNG Classic Cup Chronograph timepiece will be awarded later today to the most successful entrant in either White or Black Group, who has not sailed at Cowes Week before.