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Skandia Cowes Week welcomes the Extreme 40s for the UK round of the iShares Cup

The iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series is coming to Skandia Cowes Week, this summer. The third and penultimate event of the iShares Cup will run over three days from the 3-5 August as part of the World’s longest-running and largest sailing regatta (3-11 August).

Skandia Cowes Week attracts around 8,500 competitors and over 1,000 yachts with crews ranging from weekend club sailors through to Olympic medallists and World Champions. This great British institution is also a highlight of the social and sporting calendar and, as such, it attracts around 50,000 visitors to Cowes during the Week plus a further 50,000 or so to watch the traditional Friday night fireworks display.

“We are delighted to welcome the Extreme 40s to our Event. These exciting craft will provide a wonderful additional spectacle,” enthuses Stuart Quarrie, CEO of Cowes Combined Clubs, the organisers of Skandia Cowes Week.

The iShares Cup comprises four premier regattas and showcases some of the world’s most exciting racing at Europe’s leading sailing venues. The seven high-performance 40-foot catamarans will do battle on race courses set as close to the shore as possible, providing continuous high-octane action for spectators. OC Events racing manager, Alan Hillman, commented: “At the iShares Cup event in Cowes the crews with be making sure they have as much ‘local knowledge’ as possible to deal with the tricky tidal and weather conditions of The Solent. Being the penultimate event, the competition amongst the seven boats will be fierce as they go head to head in a battle of speed, endurance, teamwork and quick thinking.”

Following the three days of iShares Cup racing, Skandia Cowes Week spectators will also have the added bonus of some exhibition sailing as the Extreme 40s put on a sailing display every day from the 7-9 August in front of The Green, West Cowes.

During Skandia Cowes Week, the Extreme 40 fleet will be based at the iShares race village at Shepards Wharf allowing the public to get close up to these twin-hull speed machines. Crewed by four sailors, these boats also compete with a VIP or media guest who will get to experience all of the thrills of these boats first-hand.

For further information about the iShares Cup or to follow the Extreme 40 sailing series visit the event website at www.iSharesCup.com

For further information about Skandia Cowes Week, log onto the official event website: www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk