RORC enlists former Cowes Week sponsor, Skandia to help revive well known event

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has secured the support of Skandia to undertake a feasibility study into the revival of the Admiral’s Cup, one of the world’s great international regattas, as the premier offshore racing regatta in the world circuit.

Held every other year until 2003 the Cup featured national teams entering boats in up to three different classes competing in a mix of offshore and inshore races.

RORC through Chief Executive Eddie Warden Owen, has been working on reviving the Admiral’s Cup for sometime. “With this commitment from Skandia we can put resources in place to carry out a thorough feasibility study leading to a plan that could enable our vision to become a reality” says Eddie. “We have considerable interest from all over the world but we want to ensure that the Admiral’s Cup meets the needs and expectations of all prospective competitors.”

RORC is consulting with yacht clubs, boat owners and sailors from all over the world with a view to holding the event in the summer of 2011.

Andrew McIrvine, the commodore of RORC is excited at the prospect of working with Skandia. “Skandia is a company with a long history of yachting sponsorship and one which understands what is required to make an event of this calibre work for the sponsors and sailors. With Skandia’s experience and support at this crucial planning stage there are real prospects of restoring the Admiral’s Cup to prominence.”

Tim Sewell, Skandia’s Sponsorship Manager is delighted to support RORC to bring back the Admiral’s Cup. “The history and heritage of the Admiral’s Cup is immense” says Tim “We hope that our support with the feasibility study will enable RORC to create an event that will do justice to its history and reputation as one of the world’s leading offshore racing regattas.”