Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this report from Cowes Week. In their own words. Ed
For one night only last week there was a sandy shore made from seven tons of sand at Shepards Wharf Cowes.
Organisers of the Mount Gay Red Cap party, Peppermint Events, decided to transform the wharf into Barbados, complete with swaying palm trees, deck chairs and of course over 500 Red Caps!
Steam launch Kariat
Across town following the appearance of John Power’s steam launch Kariat in the Jubilee River Thames Royal Pageant Cowes Harbour Commissioners organised an art competition for school children and were delighted to receive 56 entries depicting the vessel.
Kariat is a steam launch which was built at Columbine Yard in East Cowes in 1897 and is owned by well known Cowes yachtsman John Power, who now keeps her at Shepards Wharf Marina. She was chosen to carry the Island’s Lord-Lieutenant Martin White in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames.
Prize for primary school
Entries for the art competition came from Lanesend Primary School, Cowes Primary School, Gurnard Primary School, and Priory School Whippingham.
Judging was led by marine artist Tony Westmore of Cowes Art Group and prizes awarded at Cowes Harbour Commissioners’ Cowes Week Reception held at Northwood House.
First prize was awarded to Ellie Raven of Lanesend Primary, second prize went to Jack Oliver of Gurnard Primary, and third prize was won by Holly Brimble of Lanesend Primary. Prizes were awarded to each winning entry, with the school of the winning submission receiving a prize of £300.
All prizes were donated by Cowes Harbour Commission and all entries were on display at the reception after being on show at Cowes Co-Op and the Harbour Commissioners’ Office.
Aberdeen Asset Management competition
As well as Cowes Harbour Commissionrs’ holding an art competition for juniors so did Cowes Week sponsors – Aberdeen Asset Management.
With entries coming from across the UK the winner was 10 year old Izzy Shepard, a member of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, who successfully combined this year’s ‘Best of British’ theme with sailing at Cowes and beat all of the other Under 16 entrants from sailing clubs across the UK.
She secured the £1,000 prize-money from Aberdeen for her sailing club. Gary Stocks, Club Secretary of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club said: “It’s absolutely fantastic! As the competition was won by one of our cadets, we will put the prize money from Aberdeen Asset Management towards our training and cadet schemes.”
Entries were judged by a panel led by double Olympic gold medallist and Aberdeen Asset Management sailing ambassador Shirley Robertson and Izzy’s artwork was on display all week in the Aberdeen Asset Management marquee. There was also a prize for the best artwork by a child aged 10 years and under. This went to Jessica Case from Yarmouth Sailing Club.
Daily prizegivings
Guests to the marquee could enjoy Izzy’s artwork and these included some yacht class prize winners.
With daily prizegivings for selected classes introduced this year there was the chance for guests to meet those who sail on a regular basis.
On Wednesday classes selected for prizes, which included Lanson Champagne as well as a trophy, were members from the ‘Squib’, ‘Swallow’ and ‘Sunbeam’ Classes.
Winning boats were: ‘Squib’- Lady Penelope, ‘Swallow’- Skua and ‘Sunbeam’- Melody.
One of the most popular events for the public in Cowes Yacht Haven were the Talisker Whisky mentoring sessions. Held hourly from noon most days Whisky experts, Colin Dunn and Donald Colville talked through the various blends of Talisker with participants tasting the whisky with accompaniments such as chocolate and cheese.
The Talisker Boathouse formed the venue for this year’s Ladies Day presentation. After a short list of five selected from entries, Annie O’Sullivan from ‘Girls For Sail’ came out the winner. Annie who lives in Cowes started ‘Girls For Sail’ in 1999 having found it difficult to be accepted as a female crew member.
‘Girls for Sail’
Annie’s idea followed an inspirational talk by Dame Ellen MacArthur. Since forming ‘Girls For Sail’ Annie has encouraged some 2,500 women and girls onto the water to sail.
Her passion is to encourage females of all ages to sail safely while having maximum fun.
Winners from previous years including Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, Louise Morton and Tina Scott attended the event which was hosted by Shirley Robertson OBE who was fresh from Weymouth where she hosted the BBC’s Olympic Sailing broadcasts.
Annie received the Ladies Day Trophy which is made from IW Glass from last year’s winner Tina Scott and the event was sponsored by Lanson Champagne and Talisker.
Unsuccessful nominees for the trophy were: Pip Hare, famous for her Mini Transat exploits, Karen Rawson who has led sail training at Sunsail UK, Samantha Flint who has restored a ‘Sonata’ and runs the Hertfordshire youth sailing squad and Sally Everitt who has been a member of the Royal Victoria YC for over 30 years and is heavily involved with the ‘Squib’ class.
