Lazy hazy sun and afternoon tea are typical attributes of an idyllic British summertime. Pair this with a high class sporting activity and a generous spattering of British gentry and it is a recipe for a grand day out that hoards of people wish to attend. England is known for its prestigious sporting events, Ascot Races, Henley Regatta and Tennis at Wimbledon account for a large proportion of the revenue from tourist and sport in the country. What they all have in common is the ability to provide a slice of British culture and heritage in an easily accessible and fun package that is just as attractive to the tourist as it is for the UK resident.

It is not just on the mainland that the UK is famed for sporting events, tourism off the British coast is a thriving sector too. The Isle of Man is famed for the Isle of Man TT, a race that originated at the turn of last century. The 37 mile course has been part of the Grand Prix World Championship, and continues to play a major part in the sporting calendar of Britain. The first race on the Island was the Gordon Bennett Car Trials, formed as the Motor Car Act was implemented, forcing a speed restriction on public roads. The race was seen as a way for car owners to enjoy their automobiles to their full potential over a 52 mile course at an annual race event.

This led to the introduction of motorcycles into the Gordon Bennett race, but due to the inability for motorcycles of the day to handle sections of the course safely, only part of the full course was used for motorcycles. Despite the reduction, the winner endured a gruelling four hours of racing. Just a few years later, this course became known as the Isle of Man TT race in its own right. The Isle of Man is not the only British isle to attract the attention of sports lovers, the Isle of Wight has a healthy following from sporting fans from hosting a typically British sporting pastime; the regatta.

Cowes Week as it is known is an annual regatta that is as steeped in historical significance as Wimbledon, Ascot and the TT races. The Island is just off the south coast of England, and is a popular tourist attraction in its own right, but once a year all the stops are out in the preparation for one of the most highly regarded regattas in the world. Although several boating events are held at Cowes, Cowes Week is a world famous event that attracts over 8,000 competitors and worldwide media coverage.

The island gained a reputation of being a boat building haven and host back in the 1500s thanks to the Royal approval of Queen Elizabeth I, and later George IV when he founded the Royal Yacht Squadron in the early 1800s. The Royal Yacht Squadron remains to this day the most prestigious yacht club in the world, and lends this reputation to Cowes as host to the boat racing elite.

The high class nature of the sport and historical clout has inevitably transferred itself to the paying customer when it comes to the paying spectator. Cowes hospitality endeavours to provide for the spectator what the sport provides for the sportsman. Luxury yacht hire and high speed tours of the Solent are among the more exclusive activities available in which to partake.

It is the nature of water based sports make this possible; this kind of privileged treatment simply cannot be purchased at land based sporting events such as the Grand Prix or the Grand National. It is this interaction and participation that gives Cowes its reputation as a world class event, not just for the sport, but for the history and culture too.

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the sporting industry.
Find out more about Skandia Cowes Hospitality and how you can enjoy the best view of this prestigeous event.

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