News - 2017

10:53 Wednesday 2 Aug 2017 Sue Pelling/LCWA walk on the wild side for Jodie Kidd

Jodie Kidd and Liam Brooke (Director and Co-founder Lendy Ltd – photo Zafar Rushdie

Speed racing junkies are reveling in the prospects of big winds today at Lendy Cowes Week, which could see some record breaking opportunities among the Sevenstar Triple Crown racers heading round the Isle of Wight today.

Winds gusting up to 30kts on the racecourse earlier has set the scene but for celebrities like Jodie Kidd and James Norton who are racing against each other round the island, the adrenalin levels are high.

Jodie Kidd is racing on CQS the 100ft multi-winged supermaxi from Australia skippered by Ludde Ingvall, while James Norton is on one of the Volvo Ocean Race boats –Scallywag – with David Witt on the helm.

Bubbling with excitement before she boarded CQS this morning, Kidd commented:

“All very exciting because we are trying to break the record around the isle of Wight; that’s the aim today.

“I’ve not really raced properly at Cowes Week before but my family have a base here so I am always watching everyone head out, and listening to the firing of the cannons, so it’s great to be involved. My cousins race here, and I have ties with the Isle of Wight but more so with motorboat racing. My great uncle, Admiral Beaverbook, started the offshore powerboat racing, so I am really looking forward to getting out there today to fly the flag for my family.

“I am so excited, especially as we have the potential to break the outright monohull record. It is going to be a bit wet and wild, but I can’t wait.

“My plan is do what I am told and keep out of everyone’s way, but if I can have a job onboard, that would be a bonus because I would love to help and be part of the team.

“I am normally on or in something with a big engine rather than wind power so I am looking forward to seeing how it compares. I am extremely honoured to be here at Lendy Cowes Week actually on a boat.”