Silicon Cup

RACE BACKGROUND

The Silicon Cup has proven itself to be an absolute must for those within the IT industry hoping to meet and network with their peers within the friendly and competitive environment of a yacht racing regatta. You can bet your life that there will be no short circuits for this racing event and there will be little doubt that all the competitors will be fully wired for action. The Silicon Cup features a busy programme spread over a weekend of racing, but first and foremost, this is an opportunity to interface with colleagues and network with associates in a more relaxing and informal setting. Some of the biggest names in IT will be here and this is a great place to get to know them. This is also a charity event, having raised in excess of £900k for a range of worthy causes.

The event is held in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, traditionally the home of yachting and a great place to spend the weekend. Competitors are based at Cowes Yacht haven and, following registration, the racers head for the Solent, enjoying a bit of race training from the skipper and along the way. There will be 50 plus yachts out on the race course and some serious pieces of hardware on show. The question is, will the software be super fast or require some serious de-bugging?

All this racing is just the prelude to the serious action, a themed gala dinner which takes place in the evening and gives competitors a chance to kick back, relax and discuss the days’ racing and IT related issues.

The following day sore heads are forgotten as competitors return to the race course fully rebooted and ready for action. As the yachts head back out on to the race course to conclude hostilities. Expect some close racing on this second day as all will be keen to race for the big prize, the Silicon Cup. By 4pm, it’s all over and crews return to Cowes to for the big prize presentation. Is the cup really made out of silicon? There’s only one way to find out for sure, and that’s by winning the thing.