Cowes 2012

Invitation to Cowes 2012

The Royal Yacht Squadron

Cowes and the Solent

Panerai British Classic Week

Register Your Interest

8-Metre Worlds 2012

Introduction

Racing Schedule

Social & Supporters' Programme

Administration & Logistics

Notice of Race & Entry Form

8-Metre Worlds 2012

Introduction

Racing Schedule

Social & Supporters' Programme

Administration & Logistics

Introduction

The International Eight Metre Association has accepted the invitation of the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS), one of the top yacht clubs in the world, to host the 2012 International Eight Metre World Championships in Cowes from 15 July to 21st July 2012. The Championship will be raced in the Solent, a superb stretch of sheltered tidal water between the south coast of the English mainland and the Isle of Wight. The RYS is delighted to be the Organising Authority and looks forward to welcoming the 8m fleet, providing a highly experienced race management team and an excellent base for a very enjoyable week's racing and social activity.

Racing Schedule

Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 July	Measurement checks and boat inspection, Cowes Yacht Haven
Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 July	Registration, Royal Yacht Squadron Pavilion
Sunday 15 July	Practice races
Monday 16 July	Racing
Tuesday 17 July	Racing
Wednesday 18 July	Racing
Thursday 19 July	Lay Day
Friday 20 July	Racing
Saturday 21 July	Racing

Social and Supporters' Programme

We very much hope that competitors will encourage partners and friends to join them for the event. We plan to support them by laying on an interesting and fun shoreside programme as well as providing spectator boats for those wishing to watch the racing.
Seven free tickets for each boat are included in the Ravce Entry Fee for the Regatta events listed below in bold. Subject to any space restrictions, additional tickets may be bought.
The Isle of Wight and nearby Portsmouth Harbour have many attractions to offer. The provisional Supporters' Programme for those wishing to see something of the local area is shown below, each comprising a day out with lunch included. Light lunches and evening dinner will be available at the RYS Pavilion throughout the Regatta, subject to prior booking.

Sunday 15 July
Regatta Opening Ceremony and Reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron

Monday 16 July
Supporters' visit to Osborne House, (pictured), family home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, with lunch.
Free evening.

Tuesday 17 July
Canadian Reception at the Sir Max Aitken Museum, Prospect House, Cowes.

Wednesday 18 July
Supporters’ visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Waterfront
Free evening.

Thursday 19 July
Informal Hog Roast/BBQ at the Royal Yacht Squadron Pavilion (subject to minimum 100 bookings)

Friday 20 July
Supporters' Isle of Wight tour with lunch at The George Hotel, Yarmouth.

Saturday 21 July
Regatta Closing Ceremony and Prizegiving Dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Administration and Logistics

Organising Authority

The Royal Yacht Squadron will be responsible for the organisation of the regatta. The Organising Committee comprises the following:


David Aisher (OC Chairman)	Royal Yacht Squadron: Rear Commodore Yachting
Patricia Lewington	Royal Yacht Squadron: Secretary
Chris Mason (OC Secretary)	Royal Yacht Squadron: Yachting Secretary
David Glasgow OBE	Royal Yacht Squadron, British Eight Metre Association: Hon. Sec.
Terence Brownrigg	International Eight Metre Association: Executive Committee
Murdoch McKillop	British Eight Metre Association: Member
Richard Hawkins	Royal Yacht Squadron: Member
Bridget Glasgow	Royal Yacht Squadron: Lady Associate Member

Regatta Co-ordinator

The British Eight Metre Association (2012@8mr.org.uk) is acting as overall co-ordinator of the event.

Berthing & Support

The Cowes Yacht Haven (www.cowesyachthaven.co.uk), the main Cowes marina, located only five minutes by land or sea from the RYS, will be the base for participating yachts. It is fully serviced for boats and crew, with technical support services available in and around the marina. Information will be provided for competitors on other services available in the local area. Trailer parking will be available at the CYH or nearby.

Shore Base

The RYS Pavilion will be the home base for the regatta. The Pavilion, with its bar, changing rooms and showers, full catering facilities for up to 300 seated, lawn and terrace (pictured left) with magnificent views over the Solent, provides an ideal place for people to meet during and after racing. A bar and food will be available at the Pavilion throughout the Championship and comp

etitors will be offered Regatta Guest status. Access may also be arranged to other clubs in Cowes, all of which have good dining facilities.
The RYS Jubilee Haven (pictured right), adjacent to the Club, will be the base for committee and spectator boats, and will also be available with prior booking for tenders to competing yachts. The RYS has a small fleet of launches and a strong team of boatmen who will play an active part in supporting the event.

Accommodation

Although Cowes has limited hotel accommodation, there are plenty of alternative types of accommodation available, including an excellent selection of houses and apartments to let, plus Club and B&B accommodation. Details of letting agents and other forms of accommodation will be provided for competitors. A "finder” service has also been developed in co-operation with a company, independent of letting agents, acting on behalf of clients on a fee basis to find the most suitable accommodation.

Boat Transport

Boats may be unloaded from various bases on the mainland and taken by sea the 7-10nm passage to Cowes. Alternatively, they may be transported by ferry for unloading in Cowes, and special Regatta rates have been negotiated for lifting and loading and with ferry operator Wightlink for transporting boats with tractors and trailers. Details of alternatives will be available nearer the event.

Notice of Race & Entry Notice of Race & Entry FormForm