15 Crews to competition ‘08 Rolex Commodores’ Cup

On May 30, 2008

“Rolex Commodores’ Cup Start in ‘06″    The “Close of Challenges” for the ‘08 Rolex Commodores” Cup was on Tuesday 26th April. The result: six nations & 15 crews, two up from ‘06. With the week long contest commencing on 29th May, crew administrators are putting final touches to some of the combinations & continuing the process of honing skills.

Event Organisers, the Royal Ocean Racing Society (RORC), are understandably pleased with the increase in interest. The participation of Spain & Hong Kong is very positive &, along side the strong, multiple challenges from Ireland, France, The Netherlands & the United Kingdom, bodes well for some extreme action on the water.

Following review of the ‘06 event, RORC has instituted some changes to the racing format, introducing round the Island of Wight course as part of the offshore component & making double-points coastal course the last regatta of the series. RORC Commodore David Aisher was rapid to express the society’s deep satisfaction with the level of Challenges & anticipates tight competition that’ll be definite on the last regatta, “with Challenges received from six countries for overall of 45 yachts we’re pleased that the Rolex Commodores” Cup has once again proved itself attracting to top level amateur seamans. The number of entries is three-dimensional endorsement of the revised format event. With the last regatta being coastal & carrying double points it should take the contest right to the wire!”

Aisher will undoubtedly be attractive even more of an interest in the contest this year & april suffer from divided loyalties. Aisher has chartered his J-109 Yeoman of Wight to the Hong Kong crew. Yeoman is the previous Jeronimo, which was part of the engaging GBR Red crew in ‘04. Another of the Hong Kong crew’s steeds subject to feasible split-loyalties is its Category one entry, the Large Soleil 44, Holmatro. Holmatro besides competed in ‘04 under the Dutch flag. In case anyone is in any doubt around the origins of the crew of these two sailing boats, the strict nationality requirement in place at the Rolex Commodores” Cup demands at least 50 percent of the crew are from the nation represented.

Another cap placed on the crew element is the number of professionals allowed to take part. Categories two & three april only have one pro onboard, while Category three is allowed two. Selecting where these individuals fit within the crew structures is an significant part of the decision-making process. For Hong Kong, Scotsman Ian Budgen has been seconded to Holmatro as tactician, Budgen brings with him both coastal & offshore experience at the highest level, having competed in the Australia’s Cup & Vendee Ocean Regatta. He besides brings 3rd key element - local knowledge. Professionals aren’t just limited in number, there are restrictions on what they april do. For example, an amateur has to helm throughout the coastal regattas & the start of the offshore regattas.

The four-crew Uk Challenge is offering up an exciting 1st for the event. The Army Boating Alliance’s brand new Archambault 40 racing sailboat - Uk Soldier - is the 1st services boat to be chosen for Rolex Commodore’s Cup crew. she is likely besides the 1st entrant to be started in some considerable style. Uk Soldier was officially named & started at Fort Blockhouse in Gosport on nine April by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan, with the ASA’s Admiral Lieutenant Common Mr John Kiszely KCB MC in attendance. The ceremony closed with fly-past by the Army Air Corps” helicopter aerobatic display crew, The Blue Eagles.

List of Challenges
France - four Crews
Hong Kong - one Crew
Ireland - two Crews
Spain - one Crew
The Netherlands - three Crews
Britain - four Crews

Programme & Points Weighting
Monday 29th May - Registration/Captains” & Navigators” briefing
Tuesday 30th May - two x Solent onshore regattas (1.0 each)
Wednesday first June - two x Solent onshore regattas (1.0 each)
Thursday second June - Offshore regatta (2.5)
Friday third June - Offshore regatta continues
Saturday 4th June - one x Solent onshore regatta (1.0)
Sunday 5th June - Round the Isle regatta (1.5)
Monday 6th June - one x Solent onshore regatta (AM) (2.0)
Prize Giving (Royal Boat Team) 1700

The Rolex Commodores” Cup will be held off Cowes, Island of Wight, from 29th May to 6th June ‘08.

Full details of the crews comprising these Challenges will be posted to & shortly.
by Rolex Commodores” Cup Media