Wow! This top international event is celebrating its 180th year. And what a happening - over 1,000 yachts and 8,500 sailors, according to the organisers Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC) - eight days of serious and dedicated racing between Saturday 29 July and Saturday 5 August 2006.
Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC) have been busy to make a big happening shoreside too. (Let's call them "C3", CCC could be the local refuse collection.) The Royal Yacht Squadron Haven is nearly finished, plus there's the Parade Landing, a 100-metre wave-breaking pontoon to serve as yacht harbour and pick-up point for the riverbus service to the Town Quay, up-river beyond the Chain Ferry and back.
To lure competitors, C3 have invented a concession card free to each entry. This will provide discounts and privileges throughout Cowes town for the duration of the regatta.
To lure spectators with real close-up views of the racing, C3 have teamed up with Solent Cruises to take 150 visitors in three trips a day by Jenny boat from the new Parade Landing out to safety zones in the middle of the action. So you know what you're looking at, there'll be live commentary on board during the hour-long round trip. Departures are at 10.30, 12.00 and 1.30 at a cost of £10 per adult and £8 for children aged 16 and under. Advance bookings can be made on-line until 22:00 the day before, via the Cowes Week website at www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk.
