This new strategic partnership between Offshore Challenges and the Cowes Waterfront partners will focus on jointly promoting the Isle of Wight to support this major regeneration initiative and in particular to reinforce the international reputation of Cowes Waterfront and the Medina Valley as a location for business, leisure and life.

Ellen MacArthur MBE, Nick Moloney and Sam Davies, three of the professional sailors from the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team, will become ambassadors for the project wherever they are competing in the world. Their role will be to help to increase awareness and understanding of Cowes Waterfront’s aim to raise the profile of the Island as an excellent business location for the composites and specialist marine sectors as well as making Cowes a centre for sailing, racing and technology.

The Team’s international reputation for excellence, innovation and success are just some of the values that the Cowes Waterfront partners wish to promote to an international audience about the Isle of Wight and specifically the Medina Valley. A further announcement will be made in late August regarding a specific promotional racing project that has been agreed as part of the partnership.

Peter Cusdin, Development Projects Director of SEEDA said : "We look forward to working in partnership with Offshore Challenges in promoting the Island to new and established businesses.

"We are delighted that Offshore Challenges have chosen Cowes Waterfront as the base for their business despite receiving very attractive offers from around the world, in particular France, to relocate. We look forward to a very exciting future with Offshore Challenges to make Cowes Waterfront a centre of excellence for the sailing industry and a base from which they can continue to operate for future challenges."

Mark Turner, Managing Director, Offshore Challenges commented : "The partnership between Cowes Waterfront and Offshore Challenges will, I believe, help the transformation we all hope we can achieve for Cowes over the coming years. The long-term vision of the Cowes Waterfront project is vital for the growth and prosperity of the area and we are delighted to be backing the initiative.

"Offshore Challenges has been based in Cowes, Isle of Wight for five years, during which time we’ve put a lot of our sponsors money back in to the area, and now also employ nearly 20 Island residents. We look forward to further growth and to working with the Cowes Waterfront partners to actively help promote the regeneration of this area - it has enormous untapped potential."

Ellen MacArthur added : "We have a long way to go to raise the quality and size of the facilities in Cowes compared with the French bases, but this step is really encouraging - and through the partnership with Cowes Waterfront, I believe we will be able to really raise the game on land, and therefore our performance at sea as well. It’s a very important partnership for Team Kingfisher."

Mike King, Enterprise & Investment Director of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, and Project Director for Cowes Waterfront commented : "Ellen MacArthur and Offshore Challenges have already proved to be enthusiastic ambassadors of the Isle of Wight, this association further cements the Island’s image as home to the ’best’ in yacht racing - not just as an event venue but for team management, technical development, and boat design."

Cowes Waterfront will be launched at the ’International Sailing and Cowes Waterfront Exhibition’ located on the Skandia Parade at Cowes during Cowes Week, from Saturday, 2^nd August through to Saturday, 9th August. The exhibition will be officially opened by Peter Cusdin, SEEDA’s Development Projects Director, at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, 2^nd August. This will be an ideal opportunity for local residents and visitors to find out more about the vision and aims of the project and how it will affect their quality of life through sustainable jobs, improved amenities and new facilities for industry.

Information Offshore Challenges