Extreme sailing action on the water mixed with music sessions every night in conjunction with and curated by Rob da Bank…

An eclectic mix of on-the-water action will be followed every evening by BBC Radio 1 / Bestival star Rob da Bank’s top choices of island-based DJs and the circuit will finish on 5 August with a live set by Rob himself: “Weirdly sailing and DJing are two of my favourite things in the world… so I’m very excited about getting back to Cowes to help kick start the party for the locals and the Extreme 40 crews. I’ve never sailed on such an exciting boat in my life and really believe sailing could be opened up to a lot more young people, which is kind of what I want to do with music and DJing. See you at the bar!”

The Extreme Sailing Series Race Village based at the natural vantage point at Egypt Point, just past Princes Green, will have at its core the Extreme Bar, open from 11am each day, serving hot and cold food and drinks. The bar, with free admission for everyone and live commentary of the Extreme 40 action, as well as pro-windsurfing demos and foiling Moth action, couldn’t be closer to the show as the Extreme Sailing Series race courses are set just metres off the shoreline. It’s a perfect spot to watch all the Cowes Week action before the Extreme 40s take to the stage each afternoon after the Cowes Week fleets have finished.

Cowes Week 2009 - Image credti to Polly Harris

Rob da Bank talks through the free admission sets:

Saturday 31 July sees The Bees Sound System open the only UK stopover on the tour. Covering all the corners and hitting all the hooks, the Bees Sound System play classic dance floor tunes, heavy funk, freak outs and tropical psychedelic sambas. “The Bees headlined the first Bestival and I love these guys. Mellow, cool and great record collections too!”.

Sunday 1 August and Jakey Chan and Wills of Steel was the winner of last year’s Bestival DJ competition. Jake mixes all styles and genres together with a bit of scratching thrown in as well. “These two whippersnappers blew me away at last year’s Bestival DJ competition and proved what a great range of music they’re into. Mucho fun!”

The first day of the new week and on Monday 2 August Santa Spirita Sounds presents a finely blended cocktail of folk, psych, 60s garage and rock n roll and a decent sprinkling of NOW! “Raff and his Santa Spirita gang represent the underground sound of the Island where people slip back into a calmer more peaceful musical time but still celebrate the 21st century too,” says Rob.

Tuesday 3rd August and DJ Kaf-Tan plays an eclectic selection of funk, soul and disco. “Kaf-Tan has taken part in quite a few Bestivals and know how to put a smile on your face. Unpretentious DJing for everyone!”

The penultimate night and Cosine steps up on stage. Cosine plays everything electronic, dubstep, dnb, electro, dance and UK funky. He is all about the party and tore up BestivalÂ’s Hidden Disco Last year. “As he says himself, Cosine is all about party. Wednesday night will never be the same again in Cowes.”

The closing night of the 2010 circuit and Rob da Bank and Sombrero Sound System take centre stage. Rob founded Bestival in 2004 and he is joined by the resident DJs from the Sunday Best Bestival family, Sombrero. Due to anticipated huge interest, tickets for this final night will go on sale shortly.

Cowes Week 2009 revellers enjoy the evening atmosphere on the High Street - Image credit to Rick Tomlinson

This year the Extreme Sailing Series is proud to team up with the islands local radio station Isle of Wight Radio, to bring you all the latest from the daily racing with interviews, competitions, live broadcasts from the race village along with commentaries from the stations presenters and resident sailing expert Sébastien Destremeau. Then on firework night itÂ’s Isle of Wight radioÂ’s extreme party to round the week off, join them as they mix the music for the biggest party in town. Tickets available NOW see www.iwradio.co.uk/ for full details or listen to FM 107 & 102 for the latest.

With a longer race each morning at 10am (except for Tuesday 3 August) designed to stretch the leg of the dynamic catamarans, The Extreme Sailing Series style of short course, public-facing racing at up to 40mph, will kick off on 31 July from 3 pm off Egypt Point. Nine top teams have entered this second stopover on the circuit, with French star Yann Guichard sitting at the top of the table with his team Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.

The racing schedule for the Extreme 40 fleet will be later each afternoon off Egypt Point, allowing for the 1,000 plus competing boats to finish and for the crews to have the opportunity to come down and watch the action. On Saturday 31st, Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd August, the racing starts at 3pm, while on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th August at 5pm. But there is plenty to see before racing, with not only the Cowes Week fleets closing in on the finish line, but planned demonstrations in the art of ‘on the water flying’ by a line-up of talent including the Moth World Champion and a team of intrepid windsurfers will be putting in some speed runs to entertain the crowds when the Cowes Week fleet has passed, flipping, jumping and corkscrewing along the waterÂ’s edge.

The race area spreads all the way along The Esplanade down to Egypt Point and with live commentary from resident commentator, and top international yachtsman Sébastien Destremeau, everyone is promised the best seat in the house. The races, each lasting approximately 16 minutes long, are easy to understand for both non-sailors and sailors and first across the finish line equals a winner! Daily prizegivings will give the general public the chance to see the renowned skippers close-up.

JAGUAR LOGIC Class 3 IRC - Copyright Rick Tomlinson

Friday 30 July (Media Day)
2.30pm First start Royal Yacht Squadron line. Up to 3 demonstration races.

Saturday 31 July
10am Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 12.00 – Moth demonstrations
3.00pm First Extreme 40 start off Egypt Point
5.30pm Daily public prizegiving
7.00 to 11.00pm The Bees Sound System Free entry

Sunday 1 August
10am Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 12.00 – Moth demonstrations
3.00pm First Extreme 40 start off Egypt Point
5.30pm Daily public prizegiving
7.00 to 11.00pm Jakey Chan & Wills of Steel Free entry

Monday 2 August
10am Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 2.00pm –Pro windsurfing demonstrations
3.00pm First Extreme40 start off Egypt Point
5.30pm Daily public prizegiving
7.00 – 11.00pm Santa Spirita Sounds Free entry

Tuesday 3 August
No morning race
Planned from 2.00pm – Pro windsurfing demonstrations
5pm First Extreme 40 start off Egypt Point
7.30pm Daily public prizegiving
7.00 – 11.00pm DJ Kaf-Tan Free entry

Wednesday 4 August
10am Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 2.00pm –Pro windsurfing demonstrations
5pm First Extreme 40 start off Egypt Point
7.30pm Daily public prizegiving
8.00 -11.00pm Cosine Free entry

Thursday 5 August
10am Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 2.00pm –Pro windsurfing demonstrations
5.00pm First Extreme 40 start off Egypt Point
7.30 Daily public prizegiving
7.00pm-midnight Rob da Bank & Sombrero Sound System
Tickets will go on sale shortly

Friday 6 August
Isle of Wight Radio’s Extreme party – tickets from Isle of Wight Radio reception (for £5) or Extreme Bar (£6.50) during Cowes Week