Brief
This sample package is based on a popular choice for VIP Adrenaline customers, providing the opportunity to race a 65ft Ocean Racing Yacht during Cowes Week. Cowes Week has been running since 1826 making it the longest running regular regatta in the World. With more than 1,000 yachts and 8,000 competitors participating and being watched by 100,000 spectators a day, Cowes Week has earned its reputation as one of the premier sailing, corporate hospitality and social events of the year.
Training for and then competing at Cowes is a great way to cement relationships. It provides a rewarding challenge and is often requested as part of a team building or team reward event.
This example is based on a group of 12 although we can provide racing yachts for groups of up to 18 plus the three members of your professional crew who will guide you through the experience. For larger groups we can provide multiple yachts.
Location
Cowes, Isle of White
Description
TRAINING Your team will be welcomed aboard their Farr 65 racing yacht with a breakfast of hot bacon rolls, fresh pastries and steaming mugs of tea and fresh coffee. Over a leisurely breakfast the skipper will brief you all on the activities ahead. Then the fun begins!
First it's out on to the Solent for an hour's race training. Your expert skipper will guide you through controlling the awesome power of this racing thoroughbred. He will have your team swapping roles to find out where they excel and understand the roles of each of the crew.
THE RACE Victory or defeat in the race to come will depend entirely on team work. After an hour's training you will head towards the start. As the ten minute canon fires heart rates will rise and you will position your yacht for an optimum start. You are now just ten minutes for the start of your four hour race! Your skipper will by now have been sent all the coordinates you must race round by radio (kept secret prior to the race) and will be deftly plotting the optimum course. Similar activity will be going on across all the boats whilst each jockeys for position. At approximately 11am the start canon will fire and hundreds of yachts will surge across the start line!
TEAM WORK WINS THE DAY This is where the real test of your team work begins. The secret to doing well is to work quickly and efficiently as one. The faster your team can make the jibes and tacks the more momentum the yacht will carry through the turns. Get them perfect and she will be able to increase momentum and literally sail faster than the wind!
As the race is about four hours long it will be important to keep energy levels high and the team will enjoy a deluxe racing lunch at an opportune moment - usually on a long tack! Crossing the finish line at Cowes is an experience like no other and as your team hears the canon fire to signal their yacht crossing the finish the mood should be irrepressible.
CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION Afternoon tea has been provisioned on board. You are welcome to take this now or upon arrival back in Cowes Yacht Haven. Then it's a steady sail back in to the yacht haven where all your team can disembark with the skipper and be welcomed back on dry land with a Champagne reception in the VIP Hospitality area.
THE FIREWORKS BEGIN After the champagne reception, all guests are welcome to return to the yacht where supper and 12 bottles of champagne will be waiting aboard. At 9pm the Fireworks begin! The social scene of Cowes week reaches its climax with the world renowned fireworks extravaganza. All guests are welcome to remain on the yacht and watch this amazing spectacle from THE best vantage point! What can be better than watching the fireworks from the bow of a 65 ft racing yacht with a glass of champagne in your hand? After the fireworks all guests are welcome to enjoy the delights of Cowes Yacht Haven as included as part of your charter package are enough haven passes to allow each of your guests free access into and out of the haven. Time to enjoy the party in the sailing capital of the world! All guests are welcome to sleep onboard or we can arrange local hotel accommodation for them.
This package includes:
- Exclusive charter of a 65ft Ocean Racing Yacht for up to 18 guests
- Full Event Management
- Race Entry for Cowes Week
- Three Professional Crew
- Breakfast, Deluxe Racing Lunch and Afternoon Tea
- Unlimited Tea, Coffee, Bottled Water and Canned Soft Drinks
- Evening crew passes for Cowes Yacht Haven
- Branded Polo-shirts (with the added option of other branded team wear and adding your branding to the yacht)
- Exclusive Champagne Reception at our VIP Hospitality Suite
- Berthing in Cowes Yacht Haven
- All safety equipment including wet weather gear, life jackets and sun creams
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
- Multiple days: Groups can join us for one or more days racing and / or spectating
- Match Racing: Outside of Cowes week groups can join us for a days training and match racing on the Solent
- Overseas: Groups can also join us for races further afield including Caribbean regattas.
Price
If you are interested in crewing a racing yacht at Cowes in 2011 or in enjoying platinum event yacht hospitality for the event please call (0) 1507 606030 for 2011 prices and information.