Sam Davies wins the Cowes Week Ladies Day Trophy in 2009. Image copyright Polly Harris/CWL.
by Michelle Warner
Ladies Day at Cowes Week was first introduced in 2006 with a simple objective: to raise the profile of sailing as one of few mainstream sports where men and women compete on equal terms. Commenting on Cowes Week’s Ladies Day, Michelle Warner, Sales & Marketing Director for Cowes Week Limited, said: “Over the last decade we have seen a marked increase in female participation at Cowes Week. The number of female skippers alone has leapt by 150% since 2002. Ladies Day is an opportunity to celebrate women in sailing and spread the message that Cowes Week is fully inclusive.”
To highlight the increasing involvement of the fairer sex, the Ladies Day Trophy will once again be awarded as part of the Ladies Day celebrations and Cowes Week Limited is pleased to announce that nominations for the Trophy are now live.
Nominations are invited for female sailors who have achieved something outstanding for the sport – from the Corinthian sailor and those overcoming difficulties in order to succeed in sailing, to those who have undertaken remarkable challenges. The nominated individual just needs to have competed in the regatta in recent years and be available to enjoy a celebratory glass of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne with us on Ladies Day!
Over the last five years, a diverse cross-section of female sailors have received the Trophy. The inaugural Ladies Day Trophy was awarded to the late Betty Moore in 2006. At the age of 88, it was fitting that Betty should become the first recipient of the Trophy, having sailed at Cowes Week every year since 1947!
In 2007, Gavia Wilkinson-Cox received the Trophy in recognition of her sailing achievements in the Dragon class and her work in raising funds for the sailors of the British Olympic and Paralympic Teams since the 1990s.
In 2008, Kerry Gruson - one of the first disabled woman helms to compete at Cowes Week - was recognised for her work teaching sailing and advancing accessible sailing for people with disabilities.
Last year, Sam Davies became the fourth recipient of the Ladies Day Trophy for her outstanding achievements as one of the world's most talented female offshore sailors. Onboard Roxy she completed her first solo, non-stop round the world Vendée Globe race in 2009 in an incredible time of just over 95 days.
Nominations can be made by visiting the official website at www.cowesweek.co.uk and will close at midday on Friday 30 July 2010. The entries will then be judged by a panel of experts, and the Trophy presented on Ladies Day – Wednesday 4 August.
Celebrations throughout the day include:
* A great 10% discount on all Gill purchases for female shoppers in the Aquatogs store in Cowes as well as at the Gill retail unit at Cowes Yacht Haven.
* A complimentary personal skincare consultation and a pampering hand and arm massage courtesy of Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare on Cowes Parade (subject to availability).
* A female focused “Get Your Kit On” challenge hosted by the RNLI.
Cowes Week
