SAILING
COWES will not host Extreme 40 yacht racing this year, it has been reported.
As revealed by the County Press in December, organisers of the popular race series had received offers from two other UK venues to host the event, which has been part of Cowes Week since 2007.
The Sunday Telegraph and Wales Online have both reported today that the event will be held in Cardiff this year.
Mark Turner, Island-based chief executive of organisers OC ThirdPole told the County Press last month it would be disappointing for the event to leave the Island, along with the economic benefits it brought.
He also said: "It is not impossible that we will be back in Cowes one way or another next year [2012] or in the future; Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is a great event."
Stuart Quarrie, chief executive of Cowes Week Ltd, said in December: "If there wasn't an Extreme Sailing Series in Cowes, we would hope there would be come Extreme 40s doing demonstration racing, plus there would be scope for the Cowes Week fleet to come inshore along the green, and that would please our sailors and a lot of spectators."
Extreme 40s, where catamarans race at high speed close to shore, have become one of the most popular parts of Cowes Week among many spectators.
According to Wales Online, Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones has agreed to £725,000 funding for the Cardiff deal, which lasts until 2014.