The 44Cup World Championship Cowes is set to get off to a unique start Wednesday with the King’s Cup being held in RC44s.
Wednesday’s practice day will also include the King’s Cup, for the first time being held in RC44s at the initiative of Team Aqua owner and RC44 Class Association President Chris Bake.
Taking place with the help of the 44Cup World Championship Cowes’ host club, the Royal Yacht Squadron, the King’s Cup is an event using the RC44s as an opportunity to raise money for Isle of Wight-based charities.
Personally event host Chris Bake has supported the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust since 2017 and for the King’s Cup the beneficiary charities will again include them plus the Seaview Sailing Trust; Polly’s Fund (UKSA); Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation; Cowes Sea Cadets (T.S Osborne); Andy Cassell Foundation; Cowes Sailability; Autism on the Water; Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity; Greig City Academy (Scaramouche Sailing Trust) and the Andrew Simpson Foundation (of which Artemis Racing’s mainsheet trimmer Iain Percy is a trustee). Many of these charities help get young Islanders out on the water and open up sailing to people of all abilities
VIP guests attending the King’s Cup have the opportunity to witness 44Cup practice racing from the exclusive Royal Yacht Squadron platform before the lucky few are then transferred to the RC44 yachts themselves to experience the thrill of helming these boats in a race.
The day will be rounded off by a tea time champagne reception hosted by Dame Ellen MacArthur, which will also be attended by each RC44 team’s owner and tactician.
The VIP line up comprises:
- Simon Le Bon MBE, lead vocalist and lyricist of Duran Duran. A lifelong sailor, he gained notoriety in 1985 when his maxi yacht Drum capsized off Cornwall during the Fastnet Race after its keel failed.
- Robert Bicket: Commodore, Royal Yacht Squadron and Chairman of Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd. Challenger of Record for the 37th and 38th America’s Cups.
- Bruce Huber: Rear Commodore Yachting, Royal Yacht Squadron. Chairman of North Sails Cowes Week.
- Peter Harrison, CEO Richard Mille EMEA. He has recently started campaigning the J Class Rainbow.
- Stuart Robinson has sailed for over 45 years, on his Swan 70 and Swan 82 named Stay Calm.
- Sir Ben Ainslie CBE. The most successful sailor in Olympic history, with five Olympic golds. Ainslie is CEO of Athena Sports Group, campaigning GB1 for next year’s America’s Cup backed by Oakley Capital. And is a Patron of the 1851 Trust.
Three women helms are competing:
- Lucy Harrison is Peter Harrison’s daughter and campaigns a Cape 31 and has won the J/70 class at Cowes. Marketing and Communications lead for Rowborough Estates on the Isle of Wight.
- Louise Morton (for Sir Keith Mills) has sailed all her life, competing in three Rolex Fastnet Races, over 30 Cowes Weeks, three Commodore’s Cups and five full RORC seasons.
- Olivia Dowling (for Niall Dowling) British documentary filmmaker, producer and competitive sailor. She campaigns her Quarter-Tonner Catch.
Following Wednesday’s Practice Race, will be four days of 44Cup World Championship Cowes racing from Thursday to Sunday.