Sailing Events

Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean race got underway on 11 October from Alicante, Spain, with eight yachts taking part in this extreme race.

The Volvo Ocean Race is the most prestigious event in the professional sailing calendar. The 2008/2009 race got underway on 11 October from Alicante, Spain, with eight teams taking ont eh world in this extreme race.

Some big changes have been introduced to the race this time round.  As international spnsorship plays a major role in securing the future of ocean racing the route will take in many of the world’s developing financial centres.  Also with an eye to attracting more press coverage for the sponsors the race will include 10 Ocean Legs and 7 In-Port races.

Another new initiative to help create more media footage is that each team will need to include a media professional who will not be involved in the sailing.  The aim here is to create more and better quality film, photography and interviews during the racing to be fed back by satellite links.

Cowes Week

The tall ships J.R. Tolkien and Atlantis are available for corporate hospitality at Cowes Week 2009.

Cowes Week is the world’s longest running regatta event, first started in 1826. Steeped in tradition it attracts crews from far and wide including many internationally renowned sailors and celebrities. As Britain’s premier sailing event Cowes Week is one of the finest corporate entertaining opportunities available.

Hospitality Days
In 2009 the beautiful tall ships J.R. Tolkien  and Atlantis will be available for corporate hospitality during the regatta. The J.R. Tolkien is suitable for groups of 20 to 90 guests and offers full service and catering with delicious buffets, deck barbecues and seated dinners (up to 50 people).  The Atlantis is suitable for groups of 40 to 140 guest with a superb sundeck and saloon for the perfect company day out.  The tall ships are available for day and evening events – sailing or at the quayside.  The J.R. Tolkien has been set aside for small groups to join together on a Shared-Ship basis for a fantastic day of hospitality on Tueday 4th August.

Hospitality Itinerary
Welcomed on board at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, your guests will enjoy a thrilling day out on the water. There will be plenty of time to sail the tall ship and to watch some of the Cowes Week race action. The timing is down to you – maybe a full day or an afternoon and evening. The highlight of the week is the magnificent firework display on the Friday night when the myriad of small boats jostling for position to see the display make for a very animated evening!

Frank Thomas Sailing can also offer additional features for your day including race commentators, official programmes, RIB rides, live bands and other entertainment.

Round the Island Race

The 2009 JPMAM Round the Island Race takes place on 20th June with over 1,500 competitors expected.

he JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race takes place on Saturday 20 June 2009 with over 1,500 competitors expected from around the world. This the largest UK yacht race attracts both professional and amateur sailors to race the 50 miles course westabout the Isle of Wight.

Spectator Vessels
The sailing barge Kitty will be available for charter at the Round the Island Race providing a spectacular, close-up view point of the race.

Sailing from Portsmouth the barge will meet the yachts to the east of the Isle of Wight at Bembridge and accompany them as they pass between the forts and head for Cowes.

 

Tall Ships Races

In 2009 there will be two Tall Ships Races – the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge and the Tall Ships Race Baltic.

The Tall Ships’ Races are held every summer, usually in European waters. Each year between 70 and 100 vessels from 15-20 countries, crewed by some 5-6,000 young people from over 30 countries worldwide, take part in this unique event that combines four days of activities in each port with racing or cruising-in-company between ports. During the race series the young crews get the chance to gain experience by sailing with their contemporaries from other countries while facing the physical and emotional challenges that only the ocean can provide.

In 2009 the programme takes a different tack with an adventurous programme twice crossing the Atlantic Ocean and a race in the Baltic Sea.

Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009
The sail training fleet starts from Spain and crosses the Atlantic to Bermuda before sailing up the east of the USA and Canada before returning back across the Atlantic and finishing in Belfast.