Events
What is the biggest and oldest annual regatta in the world?
Cowes Week of course.
Every year Cowes Week, the world's biggest and oldest annual regatta, seems to break records and 2005 is no exception, with Britain's premier sailing festival expected to attract more boats than ever before in its 179-year history. Staff at the new headquarters of the Cowes Combined Clubs (CCC) on Cowes Parade that organises the event were last night preparing for eight days of frenetic activity as Britain's sailing capital braced itself for an onslaught of more than 1,040 yachts in 38 classes crewed by more than 8,000 food and beer-hungry crews.
Stuart Quarrie, the CCC director, said that 1,033 yachts had registered for competition by yesterday afternoon and he was expecting the total to come close to 1,050 by this morning. This easily surpasses the previous best of 1,002 yachts four years ago, when Cowes Week was followed by the America 's Cup 150th Jubilee Regatta. Sailing is on a high in this country after successive Olympic Games in which Britain topped the sport's medal table, while last winter few involved in the sport - or outside it - could have failed to notice the exploits of Dame Ellen MacArthur as she set an heroic solo round-the-world sailing record on board B & Q, inspiring millions along the way.
Cowes Week Predicted Stats for the 179th Regatta | |
| Number of yachts | 1,050 |
| Number of crew | 8,000+ |
| Number of classes | 38 |
| Quantity of beer consumed | 10,000+ per day |
| Quantity of food served | Mountains |
| Racing sailor's favorite post-regatta spirits
based on Cowes Week, the oldest and largest regatta in the world |
| #1 | Mount Gay Rum with Coke |
| #2 | Vodka and Red Bull |
| #3 | Pimm's |
| #4 | Lager |
Down the high street in Cowes Yacht Haven, the centre of the regatta, staff at the main beer tent were preparing for another epic week, with up to 5,000 customers expected each night and another 5,000 during each day. Chris Troup, who runs the bar, believes he will sell as much drink in one week as an average pub may get through in a whole year. The top seller, he predicts, will once again be the racing sailor's favourite tipple, Mount Gay Rum with Coke, followed closely by vodka and Red Bull, then Pimm's andthen lager. "The sport is booming," Troup said. "It's partly the Olympic performance. But sailing is also a very good fit for the South East-based young man who wants a bit of a thrill - Cowes Week offers that plus a party scene as well." -- Excerpts from a story by Ed Gorman, The Times, full story:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4041-1713640,00.html
"What makes Cowes Week different is that sharing the same water and racing with just as much intent, though not always with the same panache or expertise, were some of the smallest and most unremarkable yachts imaginable. No other regatta in the world combines so many craft of such diversity as are to be found in the 1,050-strong fleet at Cowes, which boasts classic antique day-boat fleets, such as the X-One Designs or Victorys, right through to the latest whizz-bang sportsboat, the Laser SB3, and moderate-sized cruiserracers, complete with curtains, such as the old Contessa 32s or Sigma 38s." -- Excerpt from another story by Ed Gorman, The
Times, full story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4041-1716602,0
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