Cowes Week Limited, the organising body responsible for running Skandia Cowes Week, has the privilege of working with a very pro-active group of sponsors to continue to develop the regatta.
As sales and marketing director, Michelle Warner, puts it: "Our family of sponsors play an important role in the continual development of the regatta and their activities all help to enhance the Skandia Cowes Week experience for everyone."
Here's a taster of some of the activities the sponsors and the event's official charity, the Ellen MacArthur Trust, are getting up to at this year's regatta.
Title Sponsor - Skandia
Skandia is again running its ‘Try Sailing' initiative, giving visitors the opportunity to have a free sailing lesson with the Cowes-based United Kingdom Sailing Association (UKSA). This will be the fourth year Skandia has run this activity and, when this year's event closes, around 2,500 people will have had a free taste of what it's like to take to the water under sail. Operating for the whole eight days of the regatta, lessons will start at 9.30am through to 4.30pm. Bookings can be made from 9.00am each day at the ‘Try Sailing' booth on Cowes Parade by the Trinity Landing.
Champagne Sponsor - Champagne G.H. Mumm
Champagne G.H. Mumm has enjoyed an association with this unique event for over 30 years and 2008 will be no exception. The elegant bar is located in the heart of the action, on the water's edge within the Cowes Yacht Haven. Champagne G.H. Mumm invites you to celebrate your achievements at the end of the day with a flute of cold Cordon Rouge! Also, look out for an array of well-known brand ambassadors who come to the annual G.H. Mumm party.
Technical Clothing Sponsor - Henri Lloyd
The specialist marine clothing brand, Henri Lloyd will be campaigning its sponsored TP52; Henri Lloyd - Cutting Edge during Skandia Cowes Week. The rapidly growing TP52 fleet provides an exciting class to watch and the Henri Lloyd team have their 2007 title to defend from last year's Skandia Cowes Week, when they won their class and also the IRM Class. Henri-Lloyd are supporting Skandia Cowes Week as Official Technical Clothing Sponsor for the eighth consecutive year and are supplying bespoke clothing to officials and personnel, to ensure that they are well protected both on and off the water.
Skincare Sponsor - Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare
The inaugural Liz Earle "Close Shave Trophy" has been launched for 2008. This annual trophy will be awarded to the overall winner across all classes who grasps victory by the closest margin. The Liz Earle Close Shave Trophy will recognise high performance, tough competition and achievement, and will be presented at the overall prize giving at the end of the week, together with a goodie bag for each of the crew. These will contain Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare products.
Vehicle Sponsor - Volkswagen Touareg
The Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week regatta is being held prior to the main event on Friday, August 1, when the class winners from Skandia Cowes week 2007 will race in identical Laser SB3s off Cowes in a one-day, three race event. Meanwhile, Volkswagen will be welcoming visitors to its waterfront stand situated in Cowes Yacht Haven where it will be exhibiting the stylish Touareg and the Tiguan. Volkswagen will also be teaming up with Laser to run a ‘one-stop shop' for spare Laser parts from the Volkswagen stand.
Telecoms Sponsor - Wightcable
During the week, Wightcable will be providing vital telecommunications support that ensures this unique event maintains its position as a world class sailing regatta.
Official Charity - The Ellen MacArthur Trust
The Ellen MacArthur Trust (EMT) is gearing up for its third and final year as the official charity for Skandia Cowes Week.
Scarlet Oyster, the yacht lent to The Trust by Gordon Appleby, an RSYC member, for use during its summer trips and sailing regattas, will again be crewed by children from The Trust. Gordon sadly lost his battle with cancer on February 21, 2008 and The Trust's entry into Skandia Cowes Week 2008 will be dedicated to his memory.
The EMT stand on Cowes Parade will have a rowing machine with the aim to row two million metres over the course of the week and raise funds doing it. Liz Earle, the event's official skincare sponsors, are continuing their support by supplying sunscreen available to purchase on lanyards, with proceeds going to the Charity. The official charity day is Monday, August 4, and culminates in the Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball - an absolute ‘must attend' event which this year is being held at Osborne House in East Cowes.
