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Sail-World.com : Malbon sets sights qualifying for Vendee Globe

Malbon sets sights qualifying for Vendee Globe

'Jonny Malbon on the older Artemis'    Richard Page©
Jonny Malbon, fresh from helming Artemis Ocean Racing I to second place in class in this weekends round the island race, joins a number of other teams aiming for the extended deadline of the 1st September for his qualification into the Vendee Globe. Malbon recently returned from a 2,500 mile passage on board Artemis Ocean Racing II where he put the boat and himself through a tough training sail, experiencing heavy weather with winds in excess of 45 knots.

Artemis Ocean Racing II is a latest generation Open 60 which was launched in April 2008. The yacht was created by Rogers Yacht Design and has been two years in the planning, designing and building.

The boat is currently undergoing some modifications in order to comply with IMOCA measurement rules including receiving a new, lighter mast and rigging. Following Jonny's training sail he also confirmed some issues with the steering system that resulted in overloading the auto pilots. The problem has been clearly identified and a revised steering system is being installed. The boat will be fully ready to compete in the Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes week on 5th August.

Artemis Investment Management CEO Mark Tyndall commented: 'The team has a tight deadline and a lot to do but we have every faith in them and know that they are working round the clock to fix the current issues. Whilst any setbacks are disappointing we fully understood when we took this project on that pushing boundaries and working at the cutting edge of design and build brings risks. We continue to give our unwavering support to Jonny and the team in their ongoing work in getting Artemis Ocean Racing II measured and Vendee qualified by September 1st and will be doing anything we can to help.'

Jonny commented: 'It has been a challenge to get the boat into the condition she is today and we still have a long way to go. With delays in the build of the boat compounded by the deadlines we have at this end it is a race against time. However we are now on a very clear track with defined deadlines and milestones that we must reach in order to qualify by the 1stSeptember and then be in full racing mode for the start in November.

I had a fantastic, if windy, training sail where I gained a huge amount of confidence from the structure of the boat and how she copes in the higher wind ranges. It is clear that she is both fast and strong, two qualities critical to a boat competing in the Vendée Globe. We obviously have to get her measured, that is our priority and then to get out there and complete my qualification. In the meantime we will be working tirelessly with the entire Artemis Ocean Racing team on every element of the boat to ensure that we have left no stone unturned. As soon as we can we will get back on the water and get as many miles under the keel as possible. It is a significant period for all involved but we are up to the challenge.'

2008 is set to be the defining year for the career of up-and-coming British solo sailor Jonny Malbon, culminating in the forthcoming Vendée Globe in November 2008. For Malbon, 33, the Vendée Globe is a natural progression for his career to take. It is the pinnacle of sailing in the class and the final frontier to be overcome as he seeks to beat the world's best skippers in the ultimate solo endurance race.

Jonny Malbon is among the first of a new generation of British solo sailors who have earned their stripes by working up through the ranks of the British Open 60 solo ocean racing fleet. He was boat captain of the team that prepared Ellen Macarthur's Open 60 Kingfisher to victory in the 2002 Route Du Rhum. His knowledge and understanding of the Open 60 fleet is extensive, having first hand experience of boat preparation and competitive sailing. He is supported by a handpicked team of Britain's finest shore crew who bring both knowledge and experience of the boats and the racing class.

Jonny will leave on the 7th August for his qualification and he must sail to 52°N and 50°W by September 1st in order to comply with Vendee Globe race rules.

For more information please visit www.artemisoceanracing.com




by Tim Kelly & Associates   11:03 AM Thu 3 Jul 2008 GMT


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