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Review
of the Year 2006
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August 2006
 The
oldest and largest sailing regatta in the world breezed into the Island’s
social calendar once again this August, celebrating its 180th anniversary
as well as another record number of entries. Skandia Cowes Week retained its
first class reputation for treating yachties, visitors and Island spectators
alike to another incredible eight days of competitive racing and shoreside
festivities.
The record for the fastest time to sail around the Island was smashed by nearly
50 minutes by Supermaxi racer ICAP Maximus, who completed the record-breaking
attempt in a time of 3 hours 20 minutes and 9 seconds. Another highlight of
this year’s Skandia Cowes Week was the first ever Ladies Day. This event
has grown beyond all expectation in the last 10 years and is now bringing
an extra £20 million in revenue to the Island per year.
It was estimated that around 20,000 people attended this year’s Isle
of Wight Garlic Festival, which took place in Newchurch during August. This
summer's event provided garlic lovers with the opportunity to celebrate the
Newchurch Garlic Farm’s proudly inherited reputation as the best-known
producer in Britain, whilst allowing them to revel amidst fresh pungent Island
garlic bulbs and to test out every conceivable garlic gadget. The various
food tents housed garlic seafood, bread, sweet corn, and sausages; even garlic
scented beer and ice cream which visitors of all ages were keen to explore.
Back in Cowes, sailing gave way to power over the August Bank Holiday weekend
when the Powerboat P1 British Grand Prix of the Sea roared into life. Some
of the fastest and most spectacular powerboats in Europe could be seen racing
off the northern coast of the Island. An international line up of up to 100
race crafts and a crowd of over 65,000 were believed to have graced the Cowes
shoreline during this three day dramatic water sports experience.
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County Hall, High Street
Newport, Isle Of Wight.
PO30 1UD
Tel. 01983 821000
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