The 44Cup World Championship in Cowes gets under way with a special prelude on Wednesday, September 23, when the RC44 fleet stages the King’s Cup to raise funds for Isle of Wight charities.
Normally the Wednesday before a 44Cup event is reserved for practice racing, but the Cowes programme will combine practice with the King’s Cup, being sailed in the one-design RC44s for the first time. The initiative comes from Team Aqua owner and RC44 Class Association president Chris Bake, with the Royal Yacht Squadron hosting the event from Thursday to Sunday ahead of World Championship racing.
Aqua Initiative: Team Aqua owner and RC44 Class Association president Chris Bake has brought the King’s Cup to the RC44 fleet, raising funds for Isle of Wight charities ahead of the World Championship. Photo: Nico Martinez
Historic King’s Cup Returns to Cowes
The King’s Cup takes its name from the trophy presented by King George IV in 1826 for early editions of Cowes Week. It was revived in 2019 as a charity regatta hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. This year’s edition forms part of the programme marking the bicentenary of Cowes Week.
VIP guests will first watch the RC44 practice racing from the Royal Yacht Squadron before selected participants transfer aboard the boats to helm them in a race.
The day concludes with a champagne reception hosted by Dame Ellen MacArthur and attended by the owners and tacticians from the RC44 teams.
“I look forward to welcoming everyone to Cowes, especially our VIP guests taking in the King’s Cup tomorrow,” Bake said. “I thank everyone who has contributed to our fundraising efforts for these worthy causes on the Island and hope we all have a good day on the water.”
Ainslie and Le Bon Among Guest Helms
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie heads a guest line-up that also includes Duran Duran frontman and long-time sailor Simon Le Bon.
Royal Yacht Squadron Commodore Robert Bicket and Rear Commodore Yachting Bruce Huber are also taking part, alongside Peter Harrison and Stuart Robinson.
Championship Charge: The high-performance RC44 fleet will switch from Wednesday’s King’s Cup charity event to four days of racing for the 44Cup World Championship off Cowes. Photo: Nico Martinez
Three women are among the guest helms. Lucy Harrison, a Cape 31 campaigner and former Cowes Week J/70 class winner, joins Louise Morton, who has extensive Fastnet, Cowes Week, Commodore’s Cup and Quarter Ton Cup experience.
Documentary filmmaker and competitive sailor Olivia Dowling, who campaigns the Quarter Tonner Catch, completes the trio.
Isle of Wight Charities to Benefit
The King’s Cup will support a group of charities and organisations, many of which focus on introducing young people and people of different abilities to sailing and watersports.
Beneficiaries include the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Seaview Sailing Trust, Polly’s Fund at UKSA, Royal Yacht Squadron Isle of Wight Foundation, Cowes Sea Cadets, Andy Cassell Foundation, Cowes Sailability, Autism on the Water, Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity, Greig City Academy’s Scaramouche Sailing Trust and the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
Bake has personally supported the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust since 2017.
Following Wednesday’s King’s Cup, the focus switches to the 44Cup World Championship itself, with four days of racing scheduled off Cowes from Thursday, September 24.
