Plain sailing
After hankering after an invite to the IT industry's top sailing event - The Silicon Cup - for many years, I was invited along this year to find out what it was all about
Living in landlocked Leicestershire - the chances of me getting out in a boat are pretty slim, so I always jump at the chance to get on the water - bizarrely never suffering from seasickness, and preferring the water as choppy as possible.
On arrival at the Isle of Wight, the EMC branding was very visible on the quayside, and after registering and signing some scary looking waiver forms for my forthcoming boat trip, I was able to watch the various crews board their vessels and sail out to sea to begin their races.
Sponsored by EMC and organised by Britannia Corporate Events, this year's event saw 20 boats, crewed by people from the IT industry (some never having sailed before), take part in a number of races over two days, with the winners being crowned on day two, after amalgamated scores and handicaps were taken into account.
Companies including EMC, Microsoft, Computacenter, VCE, Fortinet, Exclusive Networks, TM Group, Avnet, Skyscape, Juniper and Commtech all had boats and were determined to lift the trophy. Considering the event has been going for nearly two decades, competition is extremely tough.
Once the teams had all left the marina, I was escorted onto a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) and introduced to my skipper Graham, where we spent nearly four hours racing around between the yachts with the official photographer, catching some great pictures and footage of the action.
It certainly was quite rough and ready, and I got thoroughly soaked, but the weather stayed fine and it was an absolutely amazing experience (even though we did get in trouble with some of the boat crews for causing too many waves by cutting in front of their boats - oops!)
Once the races were over and the various crews had returned and had a chance to shower and change into black tie, it was time for the evening event to raise money for three charities - NSPCC, Dreams Come True and the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
There was a silent auction, and a normal auction, plus a crazy game of Heads and Tails - which I didn't win, natch.
After one of the most moving speeches I have ever seen, both in this industry and outside of work, from Microsoft director Jay Epton, the money came flooding in, and the CEO of British Home Stores (BHS), Dominic Chappell, made a huge donation of £25,000, with a pledge to donate the same every single year the event runs. Wow!
Races continued the following day, until the event came to a close with an afternoon tea and a prize-giving ceremony before everyone headed back to the mainland for a well-earned rest over the weekend.
So far the event has netted over £70,000 (and still counting) which is a fantastic result - well done all.
The winners of the event were: First place: EMC, second place, Catalyst IT and third place, Net Evidence.
The Microsoft boat, skippered by Shaun Frohlich - one of the founders of the Silicon Cup - came in fourth. Better luck next year Shaun!!
From what everyone was saying to me over the two days, the aching muscles and bruises were worth it, and it was one of the best team-building events they had done.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am so glad I finally got to see what it was all about!