HUNDREDS of businesspeople from Hampshire and further afield are set to take part in a brand-new sailing regatta running alongside the Southampton Boat Show.

Earlier this year show sponsors TheYachtMarket.com announced the launch of a new regatta and more than 300 businesspeople set to take part.

Richard W. Roberts, CEO of TheYachtMarket.com, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the response to our first regatta. Getting people out onto the water really is a mission close to our hearts at TheYachtMarket.com. We can’t wait to get people out sailing and show them how Southampton has some of the best waters in the country for the sport.”

The regatta will run from September 17 to 19 and feature four cups:

• The City Cup (September 17) – pitting teams from the city of Southampton against one another for victory on the water

• The Women’s Cup (September 18) – a day dedicated to all-female crews

• The Community Cup (Sep 18) – young people from Southampton trying a day of sailing

• The Property Cup (Sep 19) – bringing businesses from the property industry together to race on Southampton Water

Among the city businesses taking part are ABP, which runs the city’s port; law firm Dutton Gregory; and city PR firm, Lee Peck Media. Dozens of young people will also take part as part of the Community Cup, a youth programme sponsored by a group of generous marine businesses.

TheYachtMarket.com has teamed up with sporting events firm Rees Leisure to run TheYachtMarket.com Regatta. Other partners include Sunsail, which will provide a fleet of Sunsail Match First 40s, complete with skippers, and British Marine.

Simon Boulding, Sunsail’s Events Director, commented: “Sunsail has been a long standing supporter of TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show and to now be involved in the first ever regatta that is set against the backdrop of this spectacular show is very exciting. We look forward to supporting both TheYachtMarket.com Regatta and TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show.”

A percentage of entry fees will be split between Geoff Holt’s Wetwheels and Sail 4 Cancer.

To find out more about the event visit www.theyachtmarket.com/regatta