Click here to return to the homepage

Back

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.

Go back to July 2006

Go to September 2006

©2011 Isle of Wight Council | Disclaimer | Privacy | Contact WebTeam | Direct Gov | Freedom of Information | Report a problem