Reflections on Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014
by Ben Cummings / CWL 20 Aug 2014 11:21 BST
2-9 August 2014
Saturday saw the conclusion of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014. The overall prize-giving on Saturday evening was attended by some 300 people and regatta organisers, Cowes Week Limited, reflected on a Week of mixed weather conditions. Champagne sailing conditions started the Week with sunshine and great breeze but this was followed by much lighter conditions resulting in disappointing abandonments for some on Thursday and for all classes on Friday. For those that raced on the final Saturday though, there was a welcome return of good breeze and sun providing some fantastic conditions for the last day of racing, with the added spectacle of Black Group starting on the Royal Yacht Squadron line for the first time in as long as anyone can remember.
Consistent performances throughout the Week rewarded the East Coast Squib, Lady Penelope, raced by Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey, with victory for the second year running, cleaning up in the Squib Class, White Group, and taking away the coveted overall winner's trophy at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week once again. Commenting on his win, Malcolm Hutchings said: "It's wonderful to be taking this magnificent overall winners trophy back to the east coast once again, where some extremely big celebrations are on the cards. It is always a fantastic week – we go to Cowes for the great competition, fun and the fantastic social scene and last week we revelled in it all!"
The Squib class was sporting a very healthy fleet at this year's regatta with entries having grown by over 20%. The class had boats representing 10 Clubs from around the country (and France) with 70% of these raced by families and 25% with an under 25 year-old onboard at some point during the week. Steve Warren-Smith, Captain of the Class, thinks the growth can be attributed to a variety of different factors. He explains: "We are the most affordable Class out there. This result by Malcolm and Andy helps demonstrate that it's the ability that counts, not the wallet! Cowes Week is a wonderful and unique event, which allows the minnows to compete with the giants evenly, and to win fairly. We're delighted that one of our own has won the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week overall title in two consecutive years".
In the Black Group, overall glory was also consistent with the final result in 2013 with Island-based Adam Gosling in IRC 2 winning with his Corby 36, Yes! After finding out he was overall winner of IRC 2 and of Black Group, Adam said: "We've had great rivalry this week against very good sailors. This is the second time in a row that we've won Black Group, which is rather unexpected. We set out to win our class, but we knew it would be hard because we were the smallest boat in the class. The key to our win was good starts, which meant we could stay ahead of the larger boats for longer, before eventually getting buried by them, and control the races that way."
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of co-ordinated race management by Cowes Combined Clubs, the CCC Anniversary Trophy was introduced at this year's regatta. The trophy was won by Itchenor Sailing Club with its representative team of the XOD, Lass, the Solent Sunbeam, Danny, and the Swallow, Gwaihir who fought off stiff competition from 14 other entries across 8 different clubs. The Trophy, a painting by local artist and yachtsman, Mike Till, will take pride of place at Itchenor Sailing Club until it is contested again at next year's regatta. Commemorative 50th anniversary glasses and silverware are also available for purchase from the Regatta Centre. Simply contact the office on: 01983 295744 for further details.
The Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25 Trophy was even more competitive this year with crews from across 20 different boats racing for the award with their entry fee covered by title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management. The crew of Jugador in the J/70 class fought off competition from Shoreham Youth Team in the Sonar class to take the Trophy home, with Jugador skipper, Jack Davies, also taking the Young Skipper's Trophy.
Full results information from across all classes, together with images, daily highlights footage and a replay of the live commentated footage from throughout the Week are all available on the event website at www.aamcowesweek.co.uk.
Highlights ashore also included a packed schedule of family activities in support of Family Day on Sunday 3 August, which included an appearance from Andy Day of CBeebies on Cowes Parade, an outdoor screening of The Goonies at Northwood House and circus and theatre workshops courtesy of Wight Stars at Cowes Yacht Haven.
Women's participation in sailing was celebrated on Ladies Day (Thursday 7 August), which saw the presentation of the Ladies Day Trophy to the inspirational Dee Caffari in recognition of her immense contribution to the sport of sailing.
The regatta's new official charity, UKSA had a fantastic response from the public to their stand in Cowes Yacht Haven. Fundraising activities included 'Try-Sailing' taster sessions, gutterboat racing, sending people up a mast and branded bracelets. Funds were also raised through an innovative 'pass the mark' initiative whereby Aberdeen Asset Management donated £1 for every time Aberdeen Alpha was passed. In addition, sales of the official charity t-shirt, designed by leading fashion designer Amanda Wakeley (funded by Aberdeen Asset Management and other key event partners) raised monies for the charity too. Full details on the amount raised for the Island-based charity will be released in due course.
A very special evening of entertainments took place on Friday 8 August with a display from the awe-inspiring RAF Typhoon, the iconic Red Arrows, and the traditional fireworks display which, despite the downpour, the crowds still turned out in their droves to enjoy.
The post-event survey is now online inviting competitors and visitors to the regatta to share their feedback to help organisers make further improvements to the regatta.
Entries are now online for the 2015 regatta and anyone entering between now and the end of the year will not only take advantage of a Super Early Bird entry fee, but will also be in with a chance of winning a fantastic range of prizes including a rebate on their entry fee, free berthing in Cowes and a host of other benefits and goodies provided by the regatta sponsors and the main event venues.
Next year's dates are 8-15 August. The countdown starts here!
www.aamcowesweek.co.uk