So January’s finally over and how many of those resolutions have you stuck to thus far? In a study conducted by leading healthy snack brand Whitworths, nearly 10 million Brits wave goodbye to their diet plans as we enter into the month of February due to faltering willpower. So what is the solution and how do we claw back our start of year “New Year, New Me” mindset?
Frost had the pleasure of experiencing a workout of a very different kind hosted by the brains behind Whitworths called The Willpower Workout. The workout is the foundations of what will help us to turn our healthy eating patterns into habits. So why do so many of us struggle to keep and maintain healthy eating patterns? The study showed that the population is set to lose willpower due to things like boredom of healthy food, with 26% of us claiming a lack of low calorie snacks are easily available, 19% feeling down about the bad weather and 9% of us a lack of sleep Karen Cox, Brand Controller at Whitworths comments; “As a brand that promotes healthy snacking, we believe that working on maintaining willpower is the key to succeeding in losing weight. Our ‘Willpower Workout’, which launched this month, is a little different to classes you’ll find in your local gym – featuring experts in the fields of hypnotherapy and sleep therapy as well as fitness and nutrition.”
Want to have a go…? Check out this video to try the very first and exclusive Willpower Workout.
So who are Whitworths? They are the brain-child of the award-winning shots range, not the alcoholic kind ahem, but the kind that will give you a satisfying and healthy snack boost throughout your day. In this day and age where the demand for healthy-snacks is through the roof, Whitworths are committed to providing us with something a lot tastier than your average rice cake or salad. Whitworths Shots have it all covered with eight incredible flavours to choose from;
Berry and White Chocolate Shot: An indulgent mix of cranberries, extra juicy, plump and large Chilean flame raisins and creamy white chocolate pieces (93 calories per pack)
Toffee Pecan Shot: A sweet and satisfying collection of juicy sultanas, dried chopped dates, toffee pieces and crunchy pecan nuts (99 calories per pack)
Fruity Biscuit Shot: A fruity blend of sunshine sultanas, cranberries and rich white chocolate-coated shortcake biscuits (93 calories per pack)
Orange and Chocolate Seed Shot: A classic mix of orange flavour cranberries, golden, succulent raisins, milk chocolate-coated and natural pumpkin seeds (95 calories per pack)
Raisin and Chocolate Shot: Plump golden and crimson raisins paired with rich dark chocolate balls make this the perfect simple-but-satisfying treat (91 calories per pack)
Blueberry and Seed Shot: A delicious juicy jumble of raisins, pumpkin seeds, yogurt-coated sunflower seeds and dried blueberries (98 calories per pack)
Cranberry and Almond Shot: A super-saintly mix of juicy, succulent crimson raisins, little jewel cranberries and toasted, crunchy almond slices with no added refined sugar (97 calories per pack)
Apricot and Seed Shot: A ‘clean eating’ blend of chopped, tender apricots, tangy cranberries, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds with no added refined sugar (88 calories per pack)
All at under 100 Cals per shot. So turn your healthy eating patterns into habits with Whitworths Willpower Workouts and let us know how you get on. Remember, it only takes 21 days to make a habit.
Shots are available now in Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug and WHSmith from 49p per pack.
With 2016 now finally here, many of us will be looking for a few fun ways to get out and about to shake off the festive cabin fever. And the racing season offers a great way to have a little sporting excitement whilst trying out the latest fashion trends in a truly fabulous setting!
Although many of us may associate horse racing with fusty old betting shops that offer tips on the Grand National for horses with silly names, it’s increasingly becoming something of a hot-spot for many celebrities thanks to the rise of glamorous Ladies Day events and the emergence of racing-influenced fashion styles.
Racing opportunities
There are many racing events dotted throughout the calendar that can provide a good introduction for the racing newbie. The deeply aristocratic Royal Ascot takes place in the middle of June and offers you the chance to party like royalty and even spot a celebrity or two!
Whereas the pinnacle of the racing season is undoubtedly the Grand National which runs at the Aintree racecourse in Liverpool in April. As we’d feel more comfortable offering fashion advice, if you fancy a tip or two on the Grand National, you’d be better off visiting a site like Coral that offers a greater degree of expert horse-racing knowledge.
Fashion at the races
Racing events have become something of a staple in the fashion calendar. The extravagant hats worn at Royal Ascot give a good indication of the enthusiasm that many fashionistas have for these prestigious racing events.
And whilst some of the garments worn at recent Aintree racing events may have pushed the boundaries of acceptable fashion, our fashion tips for events like the Grand National is to always check the dress code at the racecourse’s website, and be prepared to wrap up warm for any unexpectedly chilly race meetings!
Making it an event
Modern race-going has become so much more than just the horse racing and fashion tips however, as many people are increasingly turning a race meeting into a fully-fledged holiday activity. Thankfully it’s now easier than ever to really make it a luxurious occasion as you can now easily rent some bespoke country houses and even mansions with the help of the UK Airbnb site that has hundreds of opulent retreats dotted around the nation.
And some glamorous hotels such as the Goodwood Hotel are handily located near the Sussex racecourse and offer suitably luxurious specials such as a Girl’s Weekend Away offer. This provides full access to the hotel’s health club, so that you can return to the racetrack fully-energised the next day to cheer on your winner as they cross the line!
Tuesday 17th November 2015 saw Mortlach whisky take pride of place at the private viewing of the Design Museum’s newest exhibition, CYCLE REVOLUTION, an exhibition which celebrates the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain, from everyday commuting to Olympic level competition, and looks at where design and innovation may take the riders of the future.
The exhibition runs from 18th November 2015 through to 30th June 2016 at London’s world leading Design Museum, celebrating the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain from every day commuting to Olympic level competition, looking at where design and innovation may take the riders of the future.
The exhibition looks at cycling subcultures through four ‘tribes’ –
the High Performers who reach Olympic speeds…
the Thrill Seekers who take on all terrains…
the Urban Riders who pedal our cities mile by mile…
and the Cargo Bikers who work on two wheels.
The private viewing event was attended by over 300 guests, who were invited to try a choice of two Mortlach Rare Old serves.
Mortlach, the luxury single malt Scotch whisky is notorious for its powerful, complex and unique flavours that have earned it the title of ‘The Beast of Dufftown’.
The private viewing was opened by Deyan Sudjic OBE – Director of The Design Museum
Frost Magazine correspondent Corinne Tuddenham-Trett with Georgina Bell and Sir Terence Conran
Mr and Mrs James Giles
The Design Museum’s passion for celebration innovative design concepts and individuals reflects Mortlach’s own design-focused approach and echoes the whisky’s history of innovation from its birth in the golden era of Victorian industrial engineering and design.
Mortlach Rosemary and Honey Sour: Mortlach Rare Old, Manuka honey, fresh rosemary, lemon and barrel-aged bitters
Edward Taylor, Georgina Bell and William Butler-Adams OBE (CEO Brompton Bicycle)
Georgina Bell (Brand Ambassador for Mortlach Whisky), Andrew Ritchie MBE (Inventor of the Brompton folding bicycle) and Beatrix Ong MBE (Fashion Designer and Patron of the Design Museum)
About Mortlach Scotch Whisky…
This unique and astonishingly complicated distillation process, which commentators have attempted to explain as ‘2.81 distilled’, produces a whisky so flavoursome that whisky commentators have referred to it as the ‘Beast of Dufftown’ – a bold, rich and powerful spirit tamed for years in the finest oak casks.
Mortlach has been considered a secret weapon amongst whisky blenders, going into some of the world’s most treasured and beloved blended whiskies. With its thick, rich, robust character the whisky provides backbone, body and character in the blending world. It’s also highly prized by whisky lovers across the world – highly sought out but, in the past, hardly found. That was until in 2014 the distillery was given the limelight and recognition it not only deserves, but one that it truly has earned with the launch of 4 new luxury single malts.
The last decade has seen a revolution in cycling, on a scale not witnessed in the UK since the Second World War. Cycle Revolution celebrates the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain from every day commuting to Olympic level competition. It brings together bicycles, clothing, accessories, equipment, film and photography to explain where cycling is now and where it might take us in the future. The exhibition looks at cycling subcultures through four ‘tribes’ – the High Performers who reach Olympic speeds, the Thrill Seekers who take on all terrains, the Urban Riders who pedal our cities mile by mile, and the Cargo Bikers who work on two wheels. British bespoke bicycle frame building is showcased in the exhibition in a recreation of a bicycle making workshop featuring artisans from across the UK. Cycle Revolution closes with a glimpse into the future of cycling – how it is changing the infrastructure of the city, and how architects, designers and urban planners are responding to the needs of twenty-first century cyclists?
Enjoy the ride! Don’t miss the specially-commissioned Ben Wilson bicycle sculpture in the museum’s Atrium, cycling films in the 1.5 Gallery and series of cycling related talks and events.
Continue the conversation on social media and feature on the exhibition’s Social Wall @designmuseum #CycleRevolution.
Highlights of the bikes on display include:
Sir Bradley Wiggins’s 2015 Hour Record bike and 2014 World Championship Time Trial bike
A number of Team Sky’s Pinarellos from the 2015 Tour de France, as well as kit and equipment from the team’s 2015 Tour de France win
Sir Chris Hoy’s Great Britain Cycling Team London 2012 Olympic Track bike
The Lotus Type 108 ridden by Chris Boardman at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games
Eddy Merckx’s 1972 Hour Record bike Francesco Moser’s 1984 Hour Record bike, loaned for the exhibition from the personal collection of Sir Bradley Wiggins
The earliest prototype Brompton in existence
A 1978 Breezer Series 1
A 1969 Raleigh Chopper
Bike builder’s workshop – showing the tools, materials and skills that combine to create a bespoke machine. Six independent British bike builders are profiled – Donhou Bicycles, Toad Custom Cycles, Hartley Cycles, Robin Mather Cycles, Mercian Cycles and Shand Cycles.
High profile cyclists including Lord Norman Foster and Sir Paul Smith discuss their passion for cycling and hopes for its future in the closing film.
Pre-book your ticket now (Members and children go free) – £13 Adult £9.75 Student £6.50 Children (6 to 15 years old inclusive)
For group bookings, contact +44 (0)20 7940 8783. Prices include optional donation. Tickets are subject to a £0.50 booking fee.
There are a small number of cycle racks outside and beside the museum, and limited space to park bicycles along the riverside railings.
The museum has a cloakroom with limited space for folding bikes, helmets and panniers. 1 ticket for 3 exhibitions.
Related events…
22 Nov 2015 11:00 Cycle Culture Tour Take a Cycle Culture tour with Artouride and discover some of the gems of London’s design-led cycling scene.
28 Nov 2015 14:00 Stories from the Saddle: Jon Day’s Cyclogeography. The Stories from the Saddle series invites cyclists of all stripes to the museum to share their story of life on two wheels. These monthly talks are part of the Cycle Revolution programme.
01 Dec 2015 19:00 Breaking the Cycle: A Slow Journalism Night The editors of slow journalism magazine Delayed Gratification host an evening which delves into some of the disruptive technologies and innovative designs that are challenging the status quo.
06 Dec 2015 13:00 – 16:00 Jingle (Bicycle) Bells. To coincide with the museum’s Cycle Revolution exhibition, everything you need for the festive season, on two wheels. Plus don’t miss Santa on a Bike and Christmas Carols.
10 Dec 2015 19:00 Home is Elsewhere: 50 years around the world by bike Long-distance cyclist and touring legend Heinz Stücke reflects on fifty years on the road to celebrate the launch of his book.
It’s that time of the year again, and the Warwick Rowers are back to tempt us with their biggest ever range of naked athletic eye candy. As well as a stunning 2016 calendar with both full page pictures and monthly planners, there are no less than three new films, shot in England, Spain and the US, a massive range of bonus downloads with over 2000 images, and a limited edition coffee table book that has sold out half its edition already – despite a price tag of over £200!
The calendar, which was shot on location at a beautiful English country house and a stunning Spanish villa, marks a step change for the sexy sportsmen. Tristan, making his second calendar appearance, explained:
“After six years of working with strategically-placed oars, we wanted to do something slightly different. So we imagined what an ideal summer might be like, with the racing season over and college out of the way. That’s how we found ourselves playing croquet and drinking Pimm’s at an elegant country house in England, then working on our all over tans at an incredible villa near Marbella. Not like our real summers, sadly, where we were doing internships or working at the local supermarket.”
As has become a tradition, the calendar launches with a hot new video that is free to share. Last year’s video has been seen by over six million people, and the boys are hoping that this year’s video will prove equally popular. Tom, whose ex-rower grandfather encouraged him to sign up for both the sport and the calendar, joked:
“We haven’t quite broken the internet yet, but we think it’s safe to say that every year we add a few more cracks!”
Butt jokes aside, there is a serious side to the project, too. The calendar has become famous for its association with Sport Allies, a charitable initiative to challenge homophobia in and through sport. Sport Allies’ review of the existing research has shown that LGBT students who take part in sport at university are 50% less likely to take part in team sport (NUS survey), but that students who take part in team sport are more likely to go on to lucrative careers in leadership roles (Cornell study). In a joint statement published in the calendar, the Warwick Rowers and Sport Allies address this finding:
“Sport can and must play a better role in our society. We believe that sport should be an opportunity to discover and fulfill your potential as an individual, whatever your sexuality and wherever you sit on the gender spectrum. That is why the vision of Sport Allies is to see “a world where sport is a leader in celebrating difference”. “
As well as contributing funding to Sport Allies, the Warwick Rowers hope their calendars will help get that message of inclusion out there. The laid back theme of this year’s calendar has allowed the rowers to show how comfortable they are with their bodies, their gay supporters and with each other. As the rowers themselves say in the video:
“For the 2016 calendar, we want to show the kind of men we aspire to be. Men who are not afraid to embrace people of every gender and sexuality, and to show our affection for each other. Because we think that’s a message that everyone needs to hear.”
All Warwick Rowers goods, including their new 2016 calendars, films, bonus downloads and limited edition book, are available to purchase now at warwickrowers.org.
Britain’s Paul Bonhomme was crowned the winner of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship stop at the famous Ascot Racecourse on Sunday, flying brilliantly under pressure in the world’s fastest motorsport series.
Bonhomme’s final run was flawless and he stopped the clock in 1.06.416 seconds. Australia’s Matt Hall took second place in a time of 1:09.024 while Yoshihide Muroya got his first podium of the season with third.
With the hard-fought victory in the Final Four, Bonhomme picked up 12 points to widen his lead at the top of the Red Bull Air Race Championship to eight points (46) ahead of Hall (38 points) in second going into the final three races.
Reigning Red Bull Air Race World Champion Nigel Lamb of Britain, who last year finished second at the race over the historic Ascot Racecourse, finished back in 5th place, a result that destroyed his chances of defending his title.
It was the second time the Red Bull Air Race was staged in Ascot, just west of London, that has quickly become one of the most attractive air race locations in the world and a favourite of the pilots who relish taking off and landing on the lush green turf in front of the big crowd.
Austria’s Hannes Arch, who struggled in the training session and was last in Qualifying on Saturday, finished a disappointing eighth after winning the last two races in Budapest and Rovinj, Croatia.
Arch had a great run in the Round of 12, just beating Bonhomme, but Bonhomme was the “fastest loser” and advanced to the Round of 8.
Arch was unable to get his engine started before the Round of 8 and was forced to retire. “It’s frustrating if you can’t race but that’s life,” said Arch, who slipped to third overall with 30 points.
In the Red Bull Air Race, which is the official world championship of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world’s top pilots hit speeds of 370 km/h while enduring forces of up to 10G as they navigate as precisely as possible through a low-level slalom track marked by 25-metre high air-filled pylons.
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship moves to its next stop to Spielberg, Austria on September 5-6.
Results Ascot:
1. Paul Bonhomme (GBR), 2. Matt Hall (AUS), 3. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN), 4. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), 5. Nigel Lamb (GBR), 6. Peter Besenyei (HUN), 7. Martin Sonka (CZE), 8. Hannes Arch (AUT), 9. Michael Goulian (USA), 10. Matthias Dolderer (GER), 11. Juan Velarde (ESP), 12. Kirby Chambliss (USA), 13. Pete McLeod (CAN), 14. François Le Vot (FRA)
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship is an international series of races with the participation of at least eight pilots at each race. The objective is to navigate an aerial racetrack featuring air-filled pylons in the fastest possible time incurring as few penalties as possible.
Pilots can win World Championship points at each race and the pilot with the most points after the last race of the season becomes the Red Bull Air Race World Champion.
The Red Bull Air Race consists of the following flying sessions: Training, Qualifying, Round of 14, Round of 8, Final 4. In all sessions, only one pilot races in the track at a time.
TRAINING: Takes place on the days preceding Qualifying Day.
QUALIFYING: Takes place on Qualifying Day, the day before Race Day. It includes two mandatory qualifying sessions. Best time counts. Results of the qualifying session determine the order of racing on Race Day.
ROUND OF 14: Takes place on Race Day. This flying session is completed in head-to-head heats; the seven winners plus the fastest loser move forward to the Round of 8. The head-to-head pairings are based on the qualifying session results.
ROUND OF 8: Seven winners from the Round of 14, plus the fastest loser, race in head-to-head heats again. The four winning pilots advance to the Final 4. For the losing pilots, their time in the Round of 8 will determine 5th to 8th place race positions.
FINAL 4: Four fastest from the Round of 8 compete in the Final 4 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place race positions. The slowest winning pilot from the Round of 8 will fly first in the Final Four. They race individually and victory is based on the quickest time recorded for the session.
STARTING ORDER FOR FLYING SESSIONS
The starting order is the order in which the pilots will race in each flying session. The starting order for Training is defined by the results of the current Red Bull Air Race World Championship standing. The highest ranking pilot starts first, new pilots start at the end. If there is more than one new pilot, the starting order of these new pilots is determined by a draw.
The starting order for all sessions on Race Day is determined by the results in Qualifying. The order is reversed so that the slowest pilot from Qualifying starts first.
RACE WINNER
The winner is the pilot who is ranked number one in the final flying session.
RED BULL AIR RACE WORLD CHAMPION
The Red Bull Air Race World Champion is the pilot who achieves the highest aggregate score in the given Red Bull Air Race World Championship season.
The winner is crowned Red Bull Air Race World Champion at the last stop in the World Championship.
Red – outbound lap, Grey – return lap
The Ascot crowds were treated to breath-taking displays by an Apache Gunship – a four-blade, twin-turboshaft attack helicopter and a Chinook – a twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter, its primary role being troop movement, artillery placement and battlefield resupply.
One of the world’s leading paraglider aerobatics pilots, Pal Takats, took to the air, wowing the Ascot audience with a vast selection of tricks and stunts.
Pal is a Red Bull show regular and if you get a chance to see him in action… grab it!
The Breitling Wingwalkers, the world’s only formation wing-walking team, displayed astounding sequences of loops, rolls and turns whilst wingwalkers waved and performed handstands against 150mph wind pressure… even releasing themselves from their cradles and sitting on the wings whilst the aircraft were still in flight!
Behind the scenes…
During the media hangar walk, I spent some time with the Master Class pilots ahead of the race final…
PAUL BONHOMME…
I’ve just been talking to your team about conditions, is there a possibility we’ll see a couple of seconds disappearing from qualifying times achieved yesterday?
It could be, yes, I think the wind is forecast to get up a little bit but not as strong as yesterday, so it could be a bit faster.
I’m in my early 50’s and so are you, but when you think of sport at the highest level, it’s driven by youth, sport is dominated by youth and yet this is a high-level sport, there’s of factors to consider like G-force, how do you keep fit to withstand such impact?
I think, for this, the main fitness factor is not really the flying, although you do have to be fit for flying, but it’s the length of days and the other bits. Having said that, the G-force is the main physical drain on us, if you like, and for me, I just go for general fitness… cycling, I don’t run, I don’t think that’s good for my lower back, but cycling, a bit of walking, maybe a bit on the rowing machine. But you don’t have to be Charles Atlas, you don’t have to work out in the gym, but good general fitness.
And when you think of older sportsmen and women, typically, they excel in a less physical type of activity, but amazingly, the age range of the competitors in the Red Bull Air Race is higher than average and the physical impact is more intensive on the body, to say the least…
Yes, and a lot of people say “Why are there a load of old farts here?” (laughs) and I think the main reason is, you can’t learn to fly until you’re 16, 17 or 18 anyway and then if you look at the cost of flying, you’re not going to be able to get into this sort of machine until your late 20’s, probably, it depends on your circumstances. So that’s why you’ve got a more mature bunch here, whereas if you look at motor-racing, you can get in a go-kart when you’re three and by the time you’re 18, you’ve got 15 years of race experience so you’re good enough to go out and mess about in the big leagues.
Just touching on finances, we can see that the publicity surrounding the Red Bull Air Race is building, more media coverage, what does it cost to run a team like this for a year… ballpark?
Ballpark… it’s impossible to say, where do you start? When I bought my first aeroplane, somebody said to me “Whatever you do, don’t work out how much it costs an hour” and I think that’s a very wise thing. I suspect the same would go for horse-owners, if you actually sat down and worked out how much it cost to own a racehorse, you’d probably give up there and then.
Is it easier now to get sponsorship?
It is, it’s a major factor in this series that it needs more sponsors, for this sport to go forward, it needs sponsors to come in. There’s the Red Bull factor there, a lot of people, I think, think Red Bull is such a dominant brand, they’re going to get swamped by the Red Bull brand, so there’s all sorts of ideas being bandied around, whether any of them will ever happen or not, I’m not sure, but for certain, we do need more sponsors.
We covered the Monaco F1 Grand Prix and that was one of the questions that came up, their whole branding is perhaps not quite as it should be, it’s starting to lax in some way, people are starting to lose the momentum of F1, whereas we can see that Red Bull Air Race and the marketing machine is gradually building. So it’s quite a fine line in keeping that balance of building up a brand, building up a whole race image and not knocking it like, perhaps, is happening in F1.
Yes, it’s not easy, but the analogy that I use is it’s ‘starting a sport’… this is now twelve years old now, I reckon you need to be a bit like a new coffee shop, you need to put a sandwich board outside saying ‘cheap sponsorship this week – come on in’ get people in, get them interested, get them tickled and then when it’s built, then you say ‘look, this is actually costing us more than we’re charging you so we need to up the ante’. I don’t think that’s happening at the moment, I think the price is still a bit too high and I know if I was running it, I’d get a load of big people in and get them tickled, get their interest tickled and then, hopefully, it would take off.
So, yesterday, (qualifying), disappointing with the DNS (withdrawal due to technical issues), how are you feeling today, especially with the conditions… are they good for you or is it just a little bit too good?
No, actually, I’m feeling strong, I don’t know why but it’s just a good day today, no matter what happens.
Mentally, you’re in the right place.
Yes, I’m going in there and, to be honest, I’m not racing against Paul today, I’m racing against myself, so that’s a little bit my task. Also to not getting distracted too much by all the talking and everything. The only bitter thing for us is… and I’m talking for Paul and me, that we both know one of us two is not in the final because of this stupid system. And that’s frustrating because… just imagine, both of us are really fast out there and you can’t be in the final, that’s not cool, you know so I hope that the organisation thinks about that because it’s so hard to communicate, it should be raised now. Instead of asking the guys who are doing it, living it, the passion, you know, for the sport.
I asked Paul about his fitness regime… what’s yours?
Sport. I love sport, I’m living in Salzburg in Austria where it’s just the right place to do sport, you’ve got the mountains, the lakes, biking, mountain biking.
A lot of sportsmen, at a high level, aren’t just good at their specialised sport, if you talk to a F1 driver, some of them have turned round and said “Well, I was going to be a professional footballer, but I did this instead”… what would you have done had you not become a pilot?
Actually, I can’t tell you because I did already four different sports at a high level sponsored by Red Bull so I just go with the flow. This fits exactly to my age right now, you know, what I did before, I was base jumping, paragliding, I also did world tours all over the world and mountain climbing at the highest level. I think I am done now, after this, I could imagine to enjoy just living without the pressure of always trying to be the best. (Laughs).
So conditions good today for slicing a few seconds off the best times?
Oh my God, yes, I’m miles behind! I won qualification here last year and then went on to come second so yes, a big disappointment for you and me yesterday, way off the pace but yes, I can catch some of it, for sure, I’m sure of that but lots of work to do today. Conditions are maybe too good.
You think they’re too good?
It was all blustery last year so the track is very benign so everyone is going to be really quick.
Just looking at the track, it’s a superb venue, as opposed to previous UK venues, this is much, much better.
Oh, it’s unquestionable, yes, we did love Longleat, from a piloting perspective, we like Longleat because it was even more three-dimensional so you had everything that’s here but also sloping ground so you were up and down and in and out of trees, so that was nice, but flawed in many other respects. Here, you’ve got the start in front of the crowd and it’s very special and everything is lower so this is the best.
And also the team and hangar areas are closer to the track…
Yes, for sure, everything here is really, really good, it’s fantastic, this is one of the two good tracks of the season and the other one is Spielberg in Austria, which is similar because everything takes place in front of the crowd. There are two like that in America but they’re not so pretty, they’re not green and full of trees, they’re ‘concretey’ and full of rocks.
So a track like that from a pilot’s perspective?
It doesn’t make much difference from our perspective but it’s from an aesthetically-pleasing perspective.
I’ve been talking to Paul about the marketing and branding of the race. F1 has reached a peak and it’s now starting to wane, there needs to be a new injection of thought, new ideas coming to really vamp up the image. Whereas the Red Bull Air Race is raising its profile…
Yes, well I think it’s much easier with a new sport. The Air Race has been going since 2004… 2005 was when it really took off, I would say, but yes, I’ve been following the fortunes of F1, I guess they have much bigger challenges and it’s much more complicated. The advantage to having a high-profile sport will be that the appeal grows, then more money comes in and then you can do more. And they are probably more able to change, there are some things in F1 that are a lot simpler than ours, you think of the infrastructure and the challenges of the Red Bull Air Race, you’ve got to set up a track somewhere. But the good thing about that is, when you find the right location, you can take a track right into a location like this, so you’re not bound by having the track… but when you have that infrastructure of the track, everything is there once you get there, so the challenges, once you’re there, are much easier. That’s complicated but this is a sport with a different appeal, I think.
I’ve been talking to the other Master Class pilots about fitness regimes, especially when you’re an older competitor. The world of sport is normally dominated by youth, this appears to be an exception.
Well, two answers. The reason that everyone is older is that you can’t jump in an aeroplane aged six years old, so just as when watch a camera-ed up car going through Monaco and how close they’re putting it to hard obstacles, the fences, the kerbs, for me, it’s awesome. It commands such amazing respect but I do understand it, I understand it, it’s such a connection with the machine that actually, just like as we strap wings on our back, they’re just making their body mobile. And it’s the same with us, you have to be at a level where you don’t even spend one millisecond thinking about what you’re doing with the controls, you’ve just got the means to elevate your body into the air and then putting yourself through the lines. And in aviation, you can start at 18 and then the path is much more difficult. One of my sons is into go-karting and you can take a kid at five years old and you put them in a little go-kart and it’s very, very simple because there’s tracks everywhere, there are go-karts, it can be relatively inexpensive at first. And look at Verstappen (Formula One), he is 17 years old, but I get it, he’s done it since he was five, he’s got a father who is an ex-Formula One driver, so he’s got 12 years and many thousands of pounds. Because you can sit in a go-kart, in the wet and dry, night and day, and hone the skills to be able to have it as an extension of your body, whereas, in aviation, that takes until… I would say, actually, I don’t think you could do it before you’re 30 really, I know Pete McLeod came in at 25, but you just need that level of experience, that’s important. But secondly, you’ve got to keep fit, you’ve got to take great care of your back, your core and your neck, so that’s what I work on, and you need to be relatively aerobically-fit, but very G-fit and that comes with spending time in the cockpit. There’s no machine, other than a centrifuge, which is horrible, a centrifuge is not like an aeroplane at all because you’ve got all sorts of vestibular problems with the way the gimbals work so it’s not like flying an aeroplane. But you learn the technique of anti-G, of combating G, in an aeroplane and you need a lot of time and you need a lot of experience to make that reflex. But here, we have to focus really hard on it for gate number two because you’re not warmed up, you need to get the circulation going and that’s the first pull and it’s not the highest G, it’s only probably 8 or something. You’ve got to be ready for that one, that’s the one you think about a bit in this track but the rest is kind of pretty instinctive.
Celebrities in attendance included presenter, Charlie Webster, Lucy Watson and James Dunmore, Diana Vickers and Rannvijay Singh, along with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones
The Cowes Week Regatta sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, is not only an important event within the British social season – falling between Glorious Goodwood in July and The Glorious Twelfth (the first day of the grouse shooting season be you so inclined) – but is also the biggest event on the international sailing calendar.
It has been held annually since 1826 with only seven yachts taking part but now features more than 1000 yachts and 8000 competitors – ranging from amateurs to professionals – participating in around 40 daily races which take place on the Solent by the Isle of Wight.
Since 2006 Ladies Day at Cowes Week has been a unique take on a Ladies Day as seen at other British Summer Season events.
The day celebrates the contribution and achievement of women in sailing; and recognizes some of the major successes of women in the sport.
The main focus of Cowes Ladies Day celebrations each year is an exclusive evening reception at which the ‘Ladies Day Trophy’ is awarded. This trophy recognises the outstanding contribution, commitment, or achievement of women in sailing.
In addition there are a variety of fun and celebratory activities on and off the water.
Dress Nautically and Win Prizes – Ladies ashore and afloat are encouraged to wear their seafaring stripes. Style-hunting teams will be out and about awarding some fabulous prizes for the chicest takes on the look
Head down to the waterfront Gallo Parade Garden Bar at Cowes Parade Village on Ladies Day and enjoy a glass of Nyetimber sparkling wine and relaxing afternoon tea. Buy a glass of Nyetimber and be in with a chance to instantly win one of a number of fabulous prizes including Oakley sunglasses, Liz Earle products, Nyetimber, Ice creams and T-shirts.
There are special offers for Ladies across shoreside venues during the day. Gill, Official Technical Clothing Sponsor are offering ladies 10% discounts. Liz Earle are also offering complimentary manicures, hand and arm massages and facials for £20 redeemable against product
The first endeavour of Ronaldo’s new consumer electronics company ROC Live Life Loud, this partnership sees the global football star launch the ROC SPORT and ROC LUXE line of premium headphones and speakers. In a digital partnership, the collection has been launched exclusively with eBay which will give its customers access to ROC’s new products.
The ROC SPORT line features Bluetooth on-ear (Roc Sport Freedom by Monster £199.95), in-ear headphones (Roc Sport SuperSlim by Monster £129.95) and speakers (Roc Sport BackFloat by Monster £149.95), as well as wired over-ear headphone (Roc Sport Black Platinum by Monster £249.95).
Following the launch, ROC LLL will expand with additional innovative, exclusive retail partnerships to be announced throughout the world.
On Thursday 11th June, The Ivy played host to a presentation by three leading experts who detailed new research and science concerning brain health from cradle to grave,
including the importance and benefits of omega fatty acids.
Professor Michael Crawford, a director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition gave a brief synopsis of what makes our brains ‘tick’, outlining latest brain health research including how omega fatty acids support optimal cognitive function. Thirty years ago, he predicted dangers if long-chain DHA and EPA omega-3 dietary intakes were not increased, a prediction in danger of coming true as rates of depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders spiral in the western world… he opened with a grave and eye-opening statement:
“We are facing the most serious crisis ever in terms of future sustainability of homosapiens…it has now been vindicated as brain disorders have overtaken all other burdens of ill health. In the UK, the cost was assessed at £77 billion for 2007. A recent update by the Department of Health came out at £105 billion. This cost is greater than heart disease and cancer combined.
Moreover, the greatest rise is amongst children…”
So… why the rhino?
It’s been a common misconception that fish and seafood provide the highest content of protein, that’s why we eat it… right? Wrong! Protein is readily obtainable and the cow, horse and rhinoceros all gain their optimum intake from grass. Human developmental biology is all about brain growth and the human brain is approximately 60% fat, but, In fact, human milk contains the least amount of protein compared to any other large mammal. There is abundant evidence in animals and humans on the need for DHA for the brain, but fish and sea foods are not necessarily of major value for protein but are for their essential fats and trace elements needed for good brain development and health.
The brain evolved in the sea 500-600 million years ago using marine fats and trace elements. It still uses the same today, so addressing this issue is the greatest challenge we face as humans. It’s commonly noted that a well-managed diet containing effective levels of omega-3 helps parents and professionals manage conditions like dyslexia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders.
Award winning dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton examined omega intakes in the modern day diet and benefits of omega-3, whatever our age. She outlined that, in dietary terms, things began to go wrong when we made the shift from hunter-gatherer to farming, around 10,000 years ago. The fossil record shows that as our intake of omega-3 began to tail off, our brains began to shrink, with the average male brain dwindling from 1,500 cubic centimetres to 1,350 cubic centimetres.
Dr Ruxton went on to explain the ‘fabulous’ fats and ones which are less than fantastic for brain health and function.
Omega-3 is an umbrella term typically used to describe polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and ALA (alpha-linolenic Acid). DHA and EPA can be made in the body from ALA, but the process is slow and inefficient, so regular dietary consumption is vital to ensure we get enough.
EPA is found in oily fish and plays a key role in signalling between brain cells, both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective. Studies have shown low blood levels in patients with depression, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s.
DHA is another omega-3 marine oil which provides the building blocks of the brain, nervous system and eyes, it makes up 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the brain and 60% of those found in the retina. A diet high in DHA is associated with improved learning ability, but a deficiency is linked to poor cognitive performance, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, aggression, stress and ADHD.
ALA is a vegetarian source of omega-3 which is most commonly found in flaxseeds. Our body converts it into EPA, which in turn is converted into DHA.
Omega-6 includes 11 polyunsaturated fatty acids which are found in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and animal fats.
The long and the short of it… it’s all about getting the balance right!
But why are we so out of balance?
When we examine the diet up to the Victorian era, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 was 1:1, but an upsurge in intensive production of land-based foods since World War II is exacerbating the decline in DHA intakes which began 10,000 years ago when Paleolithic hunter-gatherers starting farming. Now, our diet is so wildly out of step with our evolutionary age, this ratio could be as high as 50:1! And it cannot be ignored that it’s no accident that this shift has coincided with a surge in cognitive conditions across the ages.
During World War II, oily fish, such as herrings, were off-ration and housewives became creative in their recipes, incorporating this oily fish into the household’s diet at least once a week. Taking a leaf out of granny’s book and bringing this nutritious food back into our day-to-day menu may take the brakes off the detrimental effects of some of the processes triggered in the brain by high-fat diets.
When questioned, the average respondent will cite tinned tuna as an oily fish, commonly teamed up with pasta for what is considered a meal high in omega-3, but in fact, tinned tuna is LOW in omega-3, due to being canned in brine or vegetable oil!
Another myth is that pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid all oily fish, but in order to ensure adequate levels of omega-3, expectant mothers should be eating at least one portion a week. It’s quite staggering that one UK study of 9,000 families found women with the lowest consumption of omega-3 from oily fish had children with lower IQs by the age of three. By the time they were teens, they were twice as likely to struggle with social interactions and have trouble making friends – ‘These children may be on a developmental trajectory towards life-long disruptive and poorly-socialised behaviour as they grow up” Dr Joseph Hibbeln.
Parenting coach Lorraine Thomas provided expert advice on behaviour management in children and teenagers.
Quite reassuringly, Lorraine opened her presentation by informing the invited guests that “…tantrums indicate you and your child are developing normally, but understanding what causes them helps you manage them well.”
She outlined that working mums spend between 1 and 2 hours a day worrying, 9 out of 10 parents throw tantrums on a regular basis and 8 out of 10 act their children’s age at least once a week!
With the key trigger times being the evening routine and sleep, mealtimes and homework, Lorraine commented that, as a parent, we are our child’s most powerful role model and when you look after yourself, you are looking after your children – you are the family ‘engine room’ and great habits are caught not taught. The greatest impacts on a child’s behaviour and attitude are following a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, fun and love.
Frantic parents have frantic children and well-balanced parents have well-balanced children, so it’s important to develop good routines and a healthy attitude.
Lorraine’s key pieces of advice:
* set your parent ‘Tom-Tom’ and create a schedule, involve your child in some of the choices
* you can’t be 100% parent all of the time, but you can some of the time
* engage all your senses and ‘tune in’ to what makes them behave in a challenging way
* eat with them whenever you can
* every day is an opportunity to make a difference in our children’s lives
Equazen has spent many years of scientific investment to develop and create the Equazen range as we know it today, a unique formulation of both omega-3 and omega-6, meeting the specific needs of different life stages.
Equazen Mumomega is ideal for during and after pregnancy, The specific blend of omega-3 EPA and DHA, together with omega-6 GLA ensures a synergistic and balance formulation to meet baby’s individual needs.
Equazen Baby provides a balanced blend of omega-3 and omega-6 to support growth and development for babies from 6 months to 3 years.
Equazen Liquid is ideal for children 3 years+ and adults who don’t like swallowing pills and capsules – available in two flavours – vanilla and citrus.
Equazen Chews deliver a specific blend of omega-3 and omega-6 oils in a soft gelatin chew in a strawberry flavour, free from additives such as aspartame, saccharine or hydrogenated oils.
Equazen Capsules offer a combination of omega-3 EPA and DHA together with omega-6 GLA, ensuring a balance formulation to support the body’s individual needs.
Equazen Mind 50+ is a balanced formulation, great for those who find it hard to eat oily fish.
Available from: Boots, Ocado, Holland & Barrett, Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Pharmacy, Amazon, independent pharmacies and healthfood stores.
Guests enjoyed a delightful menu consisting of:
Argyll smoked salmon with soda bread and a slice of lemon, roast rump of Cornish lamb, new potatoes and spinach, gooseberry pie with elderflower ice cream and a selection of teas, coffee and petits fours with Framingham Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2014 New Zealand and Château La Grave Singalier Bordeaux Supérieur 2012 France
L to R: Dr Carrie Ruxton, Anita Clarke (Equazen), Corinne Tuddenham-Trett and Lorraine Thomas
Professor Michael Crawford…
Professor Crawford has been the Director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition since 1990. Having worked in the East-end of London on maternal nutrition and health with Newham, the Homerton and Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, he is now at Reproductive Physiology at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus of Imperial College, London. His special interest is in the role that lipids and essential fatty acids play interacting with the cellular signalling systems, i.e. the key interaction between nutrition affecting membrane lipids and gene expression.
He has published over 300 peer reviewed papers and 3 books. Amongst his several honours and prizes, he was elected by his peers to the Hall of Fame at the Royal Society of Medicine in 2010. In 2015 he was awarded the Chevreul Medal for his research on DHA identification as a major determinant of brain growth and plausible evolution of the human brain. He collaborates in research internationally and is much in demand as a lecturer worldwide.
With a PhD in Child Nutrition and over 100 published articles on diet and health, Carrie has a strong grounding in nutrition science. Yet she combines this with an understanding of the food industry and its important role in the nation’s diet. As well as helping companies to develop healthy, innovative food and beverage products, Carrie regularly appears in magazines and newspapers, and has a number of radio and TV credits (Channel Four news, BBC Three’s ‘Honey We’re Killing the Kids’, Radio Scotland, Five Live, BBC Belfast). Carrie has worked with a wide range of organisations including the NHS , Food Standards Agency, major food companies, ingredient manufacturers, the European Commission, PR agencies and national newspapers. Carrie’s expertise in communicating clear, evidence-based nutrition and diet messages has involved her in many different projects all over the world.
Lorraine Thomas is the Chief Executive of The Parent Coaching Academy. She is the author of The 7-Day Parent Coach (Vermilion 2005), Get A Life (Hodder Arnold 2006) and her new book, The Mummy Coach (Hamlyn), published in 2010. She is the parent coach for Tesco’s baby & toddler club and healthy living magazine. www.tesco.com/babyclub/
She appears regularly in the national media commenting on parenting issues. Lorraine has over 20 years’ experience working with executives within the corporate, public and voluntary sectors. She has a first-class honours degree in education from Cambridge University and is a qualified teacher. She is accredited with distinction by The Coaching Academy.
The Ivy restaurant and private room re-opened on Monday, 1 June, designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. “Non-negotiables” such as the harlequin stained glass windows, green leather banquettes, wood, mirrors, great art and kind lighting are all incorporated in a way reminiscent of the past but apt for the 21st century. Note-worthy are the fantastic central dining bar, the new entrance and the sumptuous loos. Chef Gary Lee has created a balanced seasonal menu, still featuring Ivy classics, but accounting for today’s tastes, incorporating more Asian dishes, salads and vegetables, and the advent of a “sea and shells” section. Director Fernando Peire continues to lead a strong and experienced team to deliver the same excellent service for which The Ivy has become well known over the years.
Celebrities in attendance included presenter, Charlie Webster, Lucy Watson and James Dunmore, Diana Vickers and Rannvijay Singh, along with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones
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