Events within the event

News of the King of Cowes, iShares Cup and Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week

Skandia Cowes Week to be held over 2-9 August is once again to host several events within the main event:

The VW Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week
Friday, 1 August

LaserPerformance (Europe) Ltd and Volkswagen once again combine forced for the return of the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes. This is to be staged on Friday 1 August.

In this the class winners from Skandia Cowes Week 2007 will race in identical Laser SB3s off Cowes in a one-day, three race regatta. Following on from the hard-fought inaugural event held last year, some 32 leading national and international helms will have the opportunity to pitch their skills on the water against each other, to compete for the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes title. Competition is expected to again be fierce, with prizes of a Volkswagen Touareg, Laser XD and a holiday to Mark Warner up for grabs.

The iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week
Saturday-Monday, 2-4 August

The iShares Cup Sailing Series returns to Skandia Cowes Week this year, with the exciting Extreme 40 catamarans bringing their own brand of crash-and-burn racing over the first three days of the regatta.

This year the iShares Cup fleet has grown. With nine entries so far, the line-up includes Olympic medallists such as Shirley Robertson, America’s Cup winners Alinghi and numerous world champions among the crews. Racing will take place on short, sharp courses from a committee boat line in the central Solent. Some of the Extreme 40 will also compete in Skandia Cowes Week itself for the rest of the week (August 5-9).

The Artemis Challenge is back
Tuesday, 5 August

Artemis Investment Management will be staging the third Artemis Challenge this year during Skandia Cowes Week. The IMOCA Open 60 skippers and crews will be competing for a generous prize fund that will be donated to the winning team’s charity of choice. In addition, the winning entry picks up the Artemis Challenge Trophy.

Last year saw Estrella Damm, skippered by Spaniard, Guillermo Altadill and aided by rugby world cup winner, Will Greenwood, MBE, claim victory with the charity Africa Viva receiving the £10,000 donation.

Artemis Investment Management CEO Mark Tyndall commented, “We wanted to celebrate the presence of the Open 60 Class at Skandia Cowes Week and provide a spectacle for the viewing public. The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week in 2007 was an enjoyable day for everyone involved and a real crowd-pleaser. For 2008, we look forward to welcoming a world-class fleet of yachts, promoting the sport and making a sizeable donation to charity.”