Win a VW at Skandia Cowes Week

New event planned to pit class winners from 2006 against each other in Laser SB3s - with some very serious prizes on offer

Performance Sailcraft Europe Ltd, the people behind the Laser SB3 sportsboat and Volkswagen Touareg, the class' long term sponsor, have teamed up to create a very special invitation-only sailing event to found the 'Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes' at at this year's Skandia Cowes Week

On Friday 3 August the winning helms of some 29 of the most competitive classes of last year's Skandia Cowes Week in 2006, will come together racing identical one design Laser SB3s off Cowes in a one-day, three race regatta. For the first time leading national and international helmsman will have the opportunity to pitch their skills against each other on a level playing field to compete for the coveted title 'Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes'. Competition is expected to be fierce, with prizes of a Volkswagen Touareg, Volkswagen Eos and Laser GXD up for grabs.

With leading skippers from classes as diverse as Sonata's to Class 0, invited helms will be allocated their Laser SB3 boat through an independent draw (the SB3 class winner will not be permitted to sail his own boat but will also be allocated to an SB3 through the independent draw to prevent an unfair advantage). The class winners must helm their boat with the SB3 owner as principle crew member. The third, and if necessary fourth, crew member (crew weight must not exceed the Laser SB3 class rule weight limit of 270kg) will be appointed at the owner's and skipper's joint discretion.

From the Entry Criteria:
The winning helm of the White and Black Groups and the winning skipper of the Laser SB3 class at Skandia Cowes Week 2006 will automatically be invited to compete.

In addition the winning helms of those Skandia Cowes Week 2006 Classes where the point’s difference between the top three overall finishing positions is 12 points or less will also be invited to compete.

Only the skipper/helm of the winning vessel of each invited class can compete and helm for the crown.

Laser SB3’s will be provided to the competing helmsmen by their owners who will be invited to take part by the organisers.

Only an SB3 boat entered into the previous years Skandia Cowes Week will be eligible to be used in the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes.

The Laser SB3 boat and skipper allocation shall be decided through an independent draw.

The Laser SB3 class winner will also be allocated to an SB3 in the same draw as all competitors to prevent an unfair advantage.

The invited helm and Laser SB3 owner of the competing SB3 shall make up the core of the crew. The remaining crew shall be down to the owner/helm’s discretion.

"We are delighted to welcome Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes to the stable of events associated with Skandia Cowes Week. With a truly level playing field, the racing is set to be spectacular," commented Stuart Quarrie, Director of Cowes Combined Clubs. "Winners of Skandia Cowes Week classes are all very talented helms, used to competing at the highest levels, and this new competition adds an exciting additional dimension as we prepare for Skandia Cowes Week 2007.

With such big prizes at stake Tony Lovell, the event's Principle Race Officer, will ensure a series of challenging races are set to test the skills and tactics of the invited helms.

"Interest in the Laser SB3 fleet at Skandia Cowes Week has grown enormously in recent years," explained David Graham, President of Vanguard and Director of Performance Sailcraft Europe.

"The Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week brings together for the first time a diverse range of keel boat title holders competing in a 'champion of
champions' style event. With nowhere to hide we're hoping for some exciting racing and some surprises," promises Graham. "This thrilling event will take place thanks to the generous sponsorship Volkswagen Touareg offers the Laser SB3 class at Skandia Cowes Week - we're hoping it kicks off the weeks racing at Cowes in style."

Each competitor will receive a limited edition Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes Musto Navigator's Case and every participating boat owner will have their entry to Skandia Cowes Week 2007 paid and will receive a new Volkswagen sponsored spinnaker. All crews of the winning boats will also receive a trophy.

The racing will be tight, as they will be battling it out for:
Skippers Owners
1st Volkswagen Touareg Free SB3 trade-in
2nd Volkswagen EOS SB3 Mainsail
3rd Laser GXD SB3 Jib

Further information about the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia
Cowes Week regatta is available from http://www.kingofcowes.com