Great Island Challenge 2008
Businesses from the shipping and defence industries enjoyed glorious sunshine over the weekend of 10th-12th May as they took part in the Great Island Challenge on behalf of the leading maritime charity Seafarers UK on the Isle of Wight.
Businesses from the shipping and defence industries enjoyed glorious sunshine throughout the weekend as they took part in the challange. The event is expected to raise £40,000 for Seafarers UK, which will go towards supporting maritime charities throughout the UK.
Teams from MDL Marinas, MOL, BAE Systems, Trinity House and Bibby International took part in the challenge, with 44 participants in total. The challenge ran from Friday afternoon through to Monday morning, with the crews living on yachts provided by Spirit Sailing.
Crews departed from East Cowes on Saturday morning at 5.30 am and spent the day racing around the Island. Team MOL were the winners, taking home the EADS Trophy.
Team MOL celebrate win
On Sunday morning it was another early start with teams cycling around the 62 miles of coastline in scorching heat, in order to receive their Wightlink medals. Team Trinity House completed the course in under 5 hours with team MDL, 2nd completing the course in 6 hours 30. MDL described completing the Round Island Cycle Ride as “a fantastic sense of achievement, completing the course as part of a team was brilliant, and the great scenery kept us going when it got tough.”
Trinity House return to base
MDL team set off
The challenge has received great support from local businesses around the Isle of Wight, including Boatcare UK. Spirit Sailing provided the yachts and skippers for the weekend sailing.
On Sunday night everyone joined together to celebrate the success of the weekend at Cowes Yacht Haver at a pirate themed party. Despite the exhaustion, everyone was in a party spirit and the celebrations continued late into the night and for some early into the next morning.
Bibby presents funds
Seafarers UK is Britain’s leading seafaring charity helping people from the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and fishing fleets. The charity needs to raise £3 million per year to continue its work.
If you would like further information about the Great Island Challenge please contact Liana Richards at Seafarers UK at liana.richards@seafarers-uk.org or 020 7932 5961.
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