Kings Volvo Cowes Dinghy Week

Shirley Robertson (here sailing the Yngling) is set to compete at Volvo Cowes Dinghy Week in an RS200 © Team Volvo

Kings Volvo (Isle of Wight) is the new sponsor of Cowes Dinghy Week, which kicks off this year on Sunday, 27th July – Friday 1st August.

Over 150 entries are expected to compete in this the biggest annual dinghy sailing event held on the Isle of Wight.

Cowes based Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson will be competing in the strong RS200 fleet with husband Jamie Boag. Strong favourites to win the RS200 class are Olympic Bronze Medallist from 1984, Jo Richards and crew Sue Johnson.

Racing will start from 1.30pm for the slow, medium and fast handicap classes. The RS200, RS400, Lasers, Darts will all have their own one-design starts.

There will be racing each morning for the Optimists and Novice Handicap fleets. BBC Children’s Television will be at King’s Volvo Cowes Dinghy Week to film two of Gurnard Sailing Clubs young members, Gabriella Southwell and Lucy Olden, for a new show '@ the edge'.

It is a brand new series for CBBC that will feature children that live on coastal regions around the whole of the UK - building up a profile of their lives which will be transmitted later this year.

Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Ainslie will be on hand to present the prizes to all the winners on Friday 1st August.

Kings Volvo will also award a bursary to a young sailor (under 18) at the end of the week, who will be selected by the race committee. The bursary will help to fund the selected sailor compete on the UK National circuit in their given choice of boat.

“It is great to have been given the opportunity to support Cowes Dinghy Week. We are also keen to support young and ambitious sailors from the Isle of Wight that will enable them to compete at a national or zone level throughout the UK, and help them achieve their goals.” said Gareth Edwards, Sales Manager, Kings Volvo (Isle of Wight)

Entries can be made on the day or in advance www.gurnardsc.org.uk or contact Brian Cole on t. 01983 280904