Toe in the Water, which takes wounded military personnel sailing as part of their rehabilitation, has been named the official Cowes Week charity for the next three years.

Since entering its first crew at Cowes Week in 2008, Toe in the Water has taken more than 120 injured servicemen and women sailing, recording top-ten finishes across numerous regattas.

Tanya Brookfield, director of Toe in the Water, said: ‘2011 looks set to be the biggest year yet for our tri-service initiative and we are thrilled that Cowes Week have formally confirmed Toe in the Water as the regatta’s Charity of the Year for the next three years.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity for us as we will be both racing and fundraising during the event. Cowes Week has always been a really special event for us as it’s where we first started and the support we’ve received from competitors and sponsors is unrivalled and really makes a huge difference to the work we do.’

Toe in the Water will enter two J80s in this year’s regatta and a Farr 45, which will be helmed by Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson at various points across the week.

Lloyd Hamilton, Toe in the Water’s racing director and a serving Royal Engineer, said: ‘It’s amazing, most of the guys who are referred to Toe in the Water have never been on a boat before, let alone raced in a national competition yet after just a day’s training, they’re ready to take on the most experienced crews.

‘In spite of the severity of their injuries, the guys have more grit and determination to do well than many teams who sail together on a regular basis. Toe in the Water is about adapting to the challenge, not the challenge being adapted to you.’

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