Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2012

Date Posted: 30/08/2012

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2012 provided some great racing conditions with sunshine and good breeze for the majority of the regatta. The official merchandise range proved a huge success, and it was great to see so many crews sporting both the Race Collection and new Keelboat gear on and off the water. The Cowes Yacht Haven was a busy hub of activity at the end of racing when the crews all converged for post-sailing drinks, a spot of shopping or to listen to the musical offerings on the Gill Stage.

Newly appointed members of Gill Race Team, Cobra, a Summit 40, owned by Mike and Seb Blair and helmed by Freddie Hall competed in IRC Class 1. This is the first season on the new boat for the Cobra crew who have been sailing together since 2001. Having recently competed in the Brewin Dolphin Commodore’s Cup the crew really pulled together for the weeks’ racing and came 8th in a class of 21 boats.

Sarah Allan was representing GRT in the SB20 Class, despite only competing in the first half and missing three days’ sailing the crew still managed to gain a 12th place overall out of a class of 27 boats.

We were also proud to be associated with the Sisterhood in their 2012 ‘mission’ which was to compete at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. All in the name of charity a team of novices pulled together to form an all-female crew on a J/122 skippered by Susan Glenny (the only pro on the boat). Their high profile meant much media attention with articles in the Evening Standard and the Telegraph sporting the Crosswind Jacket. The girls finished the week in 21st position, in a class of 35. Not bad for a bunch of amateurs!

Ladies Day on Thursday 16 August saw Annie O'Sullivan of Girls For Sail win the coveted Ladies Day Trophy for her efforts over the last 13 years in getting more women into the sport of sailing. Along with her trophy she was presented with a Gill Hooded Pro Softshell Jacket.

One of the highlights of the Week was the close competition between the under 25 year-olds racing for the newly introduced Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25's Trophy. The trophy was won by William Goldsmith on the J/80 Exess following a series of second places in her class throughout the Week and a win on Thursday. William (19) from Maldon, Essex is a member of the British Keelboat Academy, which Gill is the official clothing supplier. Commenting on the team's win and the week's racing, William said: "It has been a fantastic week and to win this trophy is unbelievable. It makes all our hard work to get here, really worthwhile."

A fantastic week was rounded up with a spectacular firework display on Friday night. We look forward to next year!

SB3 Worlds Preview results

Date Posted: 16/05/2011

Carveth the 2008 World champion expressed his skill to finish with a consistent 2-1-3-(5)-3 to head the talented Russian Rodion Luka 4-(20)-4-1-1 while Australian 49er class Olympian Nathan Outteridge 1-5-(13)-2-8 won the bronze on count back over fellow Australian and former Olympian Glenn Bourke 5-6-(9)-3-2. The top four were in a class of their own sailing the tricky wind system with the required skill to protect their point scores. However Geoff Carveth and his Race Team Gill crew needed to fill a top three place in the final race when Rodion Luka (Team Russia) scored his second race win in the final. They remained in the box seat as the provisional winner with their impressive best four to count score of 4-4-1-1 but Geoff Carveth sailed with a safe strategy to claim the series with a 2-1-3-3 score.

The Worlds are now underway and the Gill Race Team is out in full force with representation from Geoff, Craig Burlton and Sarah Allen. Good luck to you all from all at Gill HQ. Stay tuned for more updates as the Racing heats up.