Moose For The Crown? - Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes
by Julie Turner 27 Jul 2007 20:09 BST
3 August 2007
Legendary round the world yachtsman Mike Sanderson (Moose) has confirmed he will compete in the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week Regatta on 3rd August 2007.
Moose will be representing ABN AMRO 1, (Volvo 70) Class O winner at Skandia Cowes Week last year. Crewed by Glenn Bourke, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, these indomitable antipodeans will sail with Laser SB3 owner Chris Darling.
Performance Sailcraft Europe Ltd and Volkswagen Touareg have teamed up to create a very special invitation-only sailing event to take place at the beginning of Skandia Cowes Week 2007.
The winning helms of 27 of the most competitive classes of Skandia Cowes Week 2006, will come together racing identical one design Laser SB3s off Cowes in a one-day, three race regatta to compete for the title 'Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week'.
With the likes of Mike Sanderson and Glenn Bourke up against Andy Budgen (Sigma 38 class winner) crewed by his brother Ian Budgen and current favourite David Apthorp (J/105) teamed up with Laser SB3 European champion and owner Geoff Carveth, anything could happen.
For the first time leading national and international helmsman will have the opportunity to pitch their skills on the water in a true champion of champion's style event.
Big Prizes
"With big prizes up for grabs, a Volkswagen Touareg for the winning helm as well as a free SB3 upgrade for the owner, interest in the event is enormous," explains David Graham, director of Performance Sailcraft Europe.
In addition to a free Volkswagen Touareg branded spinnaker for all the boats taking part, the second place helm wins a Volkswagen Eos convertible, with the owner getting a new SB3 mainsail. The third place helm will sail away with a new Laser GXD and the owner will receive a new SB3 jib.
Selection Criteria
With the number of boats and helms limited to 27, Laser's selection criteria for invited winning helms from Skandia Cowes Week 2006 has been stringent. To qualify as one of the most competitive classes, there needed to be less than 12 points between first and third place in the final published results at Skandia Cowes Week 2006.
A draw to match winning helms with qualifying SB3 owners was made at the end of May. Since the draw, helms and owners have selected crews and many have been out training for the regatta. Eleven-times Skandia Cowes Week class winner Graham Bailey (Etchells) on board Laser SB3 Team Touareg will be sailing with BBC Sports presenter Gabby Logan and owner Craig Burlton. Gabby recently attended a SailLaser course in Weymouth to learn to sail an SB3.
Click here for a list of the qualifying classes and their representative can be viewed here.