Cowes Week has for very many years been a highlight of the sailing calendar having been held nearly every year since 1826.

The last couple of years though have been difficult for the management team as the event has been without a title sponsor, but last month a new sponsor was announced.

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC will now sponsor Cowes Week for 3 years, starting in 2011.

Various new developments are in discussion, but one immediate benefit for the fleets is a reduction in race fees, a piece of very welcome news.

Here at BH Marine we’ve been involved in some way at Cowes Week for many years (although not quite back to the start!).  From crewing and instructing, racing or corporate charters to working behind the scenes, Cowes Week has been an important part of our years and so we welcome the news that the event continues to be well supported.

At Cowes Week 2009 Ben Harris undertook the slightly unusual challenge of directing event TV.  Working with a team from Solent University, and from a makeshift control room in the Royal Yacht Squadron, he directed coverage of all the racing together with some onshore events such as the display by the Red Arrows.

You can read more about Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week on their website at www.aamcowesweek.co.uk