The Big V race

Cork Week feeder becomes newest race on the sailing calendar

Ground breaking insurer Virgin Money launches the newest offshore ocean race on the sailing calendar by announcing the Big V race. The Cork Week feeder race will set off from its main start location Portsmouth on July 10th and is open to all classes.

The Big V race is recognised by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC), so crews will be able to set an official record for the first Portsmouth to Cork race and the race is expected to attract all the big names travelling up to Cork Week 2006.

The event has been organised by Virgin Money, the company behind Big V Cancer Cover, launched in January this year. Entry to the race starts at £195 per boat and depends on the size of the boat. To register, owners need to go to the Big V website: www.virginmoney.com/bigvevents Anyone wanting to crew can sign up on the website to be matched up with a boat.

Olympic sailing hero and America’s Cup captain Ian Walker formally launched the Big V race at Gunwharf Quays. He said: “Cork Week is a fantastic event and there is no better way to get there than by taking part in the Big V race. Virgin Money is a very welcome addition to the world of sailing. They bring not only a fresh approach, but with the Big V race, an ingenious solution to the problem of getting boats over to Cork. It is going to be great fun and we should see some great racing too.”

In addition to the Portsmouth start, there will be an official race start at Plymouth. Other locations around the UK and Ireland may be added and owners are encouraged to get in touch to find out more.

In typical Virgin style, the emphasis will be on racing hard and partying hard, with a special football World Cup Final party at Gunwharf Quays on Sunday 9th July, followed by a big breakfast send off, a warm Irish welcome and prize giving party at the finish.

Virgin Money’s Chief Executive Mark Hodgkinson said: “The inaugural Big V race is a great opportunity for someone to claim a little bit of history and set the first record for the trip to Cork. We hope the event will attract large numbers of sailing enthusiasts - the handicap system means everyone has a real chance to take on the big guys. Big V events are all about raising awareness about male cancers so while we are enjoying some great racing we’re also hoping to raise a boat load of money for cancer research.”

Crew taking part in the Big V race will be encouraged to raise at least £100 each in sponsorship, with all proceeds going to The Everyman Male Cancer Campaign.

Philip Black, Director of Fundraising at Everyman said: “The sailing community is well known for digging deep for charity and I’m sure everyone will be keen to get behind this event and raise loads of money for cancer research. Research into male cancer has traditionally been under funded. However, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK and testicular cancer is the most common cancer to affect young men between the ages of 15 and 45. All the money raised will go towards vital research at The Everyman Centre, Europe’s first and only research centre dedicated to prostate and testicular cancer.”

More information at uk.virginmoney.com/cancer-cover/bigvevents/sail