Supporting the next generation

Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events. It now stages up to 40 daily races for around 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.

For the last three years, title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management has supported youth sailing by introducing the Under 25 initiative and the fiercely contested Under 25 Trophy. The program has helped to increase the numbers of young people taking part in the regatta by almost 10 per cent.

Now in its fourth year, Aberdeen plans to do even more.

The first 25 teams to enter the event and confirm their entire team is under 25-year-old will have their entry fees covered by Aberdeen, as well as receiving team sailing kit and have the chance to compete for the prestigious Under 25 Trophy.

Last year, the crew of Jugador in the J/70 class claimed the Under 25 Trophy, with Jugador skipper Jack Davies also taking the Young Skipper’s Trophy.

“I was absolutely thrilled. It was a huge milestone for the team, as well as one of my personal aims in sailing. To win the competition at such an iconic regatta and in such a strong field of entries was really special for us.

“The support of Aberdeen Asset Management makes an enormous difference. Without their support, the opportunity to race at Cowes Week would be less affordable for many of the younger sailing teams out there. They give us a great opportunity to be part of a superb regatta, and some nice kit alongside.”

Stuart Quarrie, Sailing Director at Cowes Week Limited (CWL), emphasizes the importance of the program for the future of the event. “As organisers of the event it’s extremely important for us to package-up an attractive range of benefits that make taking part in the regatta more cost effective for the next generation.”

Quarrie added that once all 25 Under 25 entries have been received as fully funded entries by Aberdeen, the event will continue to offer a 50% discount off the entry fee on any subsequent entries received with a full crew of under 25 year olds.

Additional benefits for the Under 25 crews are:
– A 50% discount on berthing for boats up to 10m LOA at East Cowes Marina. Bookings will be accepted for the discounted berthing fee once the entry has been confirmed with CWL.
– A 15% discount on Sunsail charter bookings for the full week as well as single day charters.
– Discounted tickets on the Red Funnel Red Jet service if pre-booked in advance of the regatta through the Regatta Office.

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week takes place August 8-15, 2015: www.aamcowesweek.co.uk