The town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight is host to what is claimed to be the longest-running, regular regatta in the world, having been held in early August every year (except during the two World Wars) since the first race started in 1826. Racing is centred on the Solent, the area of water that lies between mainland Britain and the Isle of Wight about 25 miles long and five miles wide. It is, in effect, a double-ended river, open to the sea at both ends of the island with peculiar tidal patterns to match, keeping tacticians particularly busy.
The ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) which starts this year on Sunday 23 November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the most popular way to cross the Atlantic. The event takes over 200 yachts on a 2,700-mile passage across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, to Rodney Bay in St Lucia on the north-east tradewind route taking an average of between 14 and 21 days. Organised by the World Cruising Club, the ARC now in its 23rd year, has attracted another large entry list that stands at 221 yachts representing over 20 nations. Many more nationalities are represented across the crews, making the ARC not only the world's largest trans-ocean sailing event, but also the most diverse.
The 32nd America's Cup is under way in Valencia and this Cup cycle has seen the biggest changes to an event that boasts the oldest sporting trophy in the world as its prize. Don't miss these key dates: Louis Vuitton Cup final (1-12 June 2007) and The America's Cup match (23 June - 7 July 2007).
Sperry Top-Sider invented the world's first boat shoe in 1935, today their performance shoes are designed by athletes for athletes. Are you aware of the Sperry Top-Sider brand and do you own a pair of their shoes?
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