On October 11th and 12th, the first-ever Bermuda Festival of Sail will bring added fun and family entertainment to the finals weekend of the King Edward VII Gold Cup. The new event is presented by Argo Group and supported by volunteer help from the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Bermuda and the Bermuda Sailing Association.
The Festival of Sail will be held against the backdrop of Bermuda’s most prestigious international sailing event, the King Edward VII Gold Cup presented by Argo Group. Families and visitors coming to the Hamilton waterfront will be treated to some of the world’s best match race sailing. This is Stage 8 of the World Match Race Tour Championship. The Festival of Sail will take place in Barr’s Park, adjacent to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Admission is Free.
During the entire Gold Cup week and the Festival of Sail, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will be open to the general public. RBYC and Argo Group invite the people of Bermuda and visitors to the islands to enjoy the club facilities and the festival and to witness the world’s top match racing Skippers sailing for the Gold Cup.
As a family fun event with a pirate and nautical theme, the Festival of Sail is open for all. Families with children and young adults are invited to take part in activities celebrating boating and the sea. Activities throughout the day include sea shanty performances, nautical photo stations, a fun castle, face painting, boat rides, a boat show, a Bermuda Sailing Association information station, pirate appearances,historical sailors highlights, live music and Gold Cup Match Race commentary for Saturday and Sunday’s competition.
For a special attraction, Spirit of Bermuda will be at RBYC and the Festival of Sail from 1pm-4pm both Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by Bermuda Container Line. Young adults who have trained aboard the sloop will be on board to show guests around and answer questions about their own experiences. The Tall Ships Bermuda 2009 committee will be on board to promote their 2009 event, recruit volunteers sign up young Bermudians who want to take part in any leg of the Vigo-Tenerife-Bermuda-Charleston-Boston-Halifax-Belfast race.
In the 2008 Gold Cup, Frenchman Mathieu Richard will be back in Bermuda to defend his title in the 101st year of sailing for the spectacular golden trophy. In 2007, Richard defeated Bjorn Hansen of Sweden 2-0 in the finals to take the gold. Hansen will also return hoping to unseat the reigning champion. Great Britain’s Ian Williams, winner of the 2006 Gold Cup, will be on hand, too, sailing hard to regain his championship form in the Bermuda classic.
The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Ralph Richardson notes that, “the goal of the Bermuda Festival of Sail is to introduce the joy of sailing to the youth of Bermuda and to their parents as well.
For further detail on the Festival of Sail or King Edward VII Gold Cup, contact:
Festival of Sail- Starla Williams, Mobile +1 441-335-4351 • Direct +1 441-292-9741
King Edward VII Gold Cup- Talbot Wilson, Mobile +1 850-217-7138 • Direct +1 850-432-8170
Argo Group - Wendy Davis-Johnson, Mobile +1 441-300-3719 • Direct +1 441-278-3719
