No time to lose at the Artemis Offshore Academy training camp

by Artemis Offshore Academy on 4 Sep 2014 With only 270 days to the next Solitaire du Figaro, there is no time to lose at the Artemis Offshore Academy training camp. After putting themselves through the arduous annual Academy Selection Trials in July, this week freshmen Rob Bunce (20), Piers Hugh Smith (19), Andrew Baker (24) and Robin Elsey (21), as the ‘2014/15 Artemis Offshore Academy Development Squad’, get set to end the first week of training with a race – the 75nm Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Cherbourg Race.

'There’s been no breaking us in gently in our first week, we’ve been totally thrown in at the deep end with our first race on Friday (5th September)' Andrew explained (more commonly know as ‘Hammy’). 'We are all really excited to be taking part in the race and will be spending this week mainly getting to know the Figaros and preparing for the race with Academy Race Coach Marcus Hutchinson, before our first on the water sessions during the day on Thursday and Friday.'

A cross-channel sprint from Cowes, Isle of Wight to Cherbourg, France, the race sets off at 1900 BST on Friday 5th September with six UK Bénéteau Figaro IIs expected on the start line – the most entered in a RORC race since the 2013 Rolex Fastnet Race.

Racing as part of the IRC 2 double-handed division, Rob and Andrew will team up with 2014 Solitaire du Figaro skippers Alan Roberts and Rich Mason, while Piers pairs with Academy Race Coach Marcus. Robin will complete his 2014 double-handed racing programme with co-skipper Will Harris: 'For most of us it will only be our second time sailing a Figaro, so we’re going to be teaming up with one of the Academy’s more experienced skipper’s for the 75 mile race,' Rob explained. 'I’m with Alan on Artemis 21, which should be good fun and a great opportunity to learn more about the boat and pick up some tips.'

'I’m doing the Cherbourg Race with our Race Coach Marcus,' Piers added, the youngest member of this year’s squad. 'I’m looking forward to learning what I can from him and making the most of this early opportunity to sail with him. He’s a former Solitaire skipper too, so I’m going to learn a huge amount and ask plenty of questions.'

The four Artemis Figaros will be joined on the start line by British 2014 Solitaire du Figaro competitor skipper Nick Cherry aboard ‘Redshift’ and RORC regulars ‘Rare’.

Robin Elsey: 'Having been with the Academy since 2011 and becoming more involved with the Solitaire and Cowes Week this year, it hasn’t really hit home that I’ve made the transition to the solo squad yet. But it’s pretty to cool knowing that sailing and the Academy is now potentially my full-time job for the next year. That is exciting.'

'It’s not guaranteed that any of us will do a full year with the Academy; we have our first assessment and find out who will progress to the next stage of training at the end of September. I think that it’s good to know that nothing is set in stone, as it makes sure that none of get complacent and give 100% in all areas of our training. The Academy will be monitoring our attitude, level of effort, commitment and performance in all areas of the programme from sailing, media, fitness, and boat work – basically everything we do.'

Rob Bunce: 'The Cherbourg Race is the main event for us this week. I’ve done lots of offshore sailing before, but there’s usually about 12 of us on board so the double-handed race will be a great learning experience. With just two of us onboard I think tiredness might become a factor, but I’m really excited about the race.'

'We start our fitness testing next week over at the Health and Well Being Centre at wide lane as part of Southampton University. I go to the gym once or twice a day, so I’m looking forward to a follow up fitness assessment after the Selection Trials and getting our tailored fitness programme to work to.'

'We've had a lot to take in already this week, but I’ve been really impressed with first impresions of the Academy. We’re already getting into a routine and the training programme that's been put in place for the month has given us a lot to think about.'

Andrew Baker: 'We’re starting to get into a bit of a routine now, going to the gym in the morning then going to the Academy office or to do boat work before hitting the gym of the pool in the evening. Rob and I enjoy the gym and Piers and Robin are keen cyclists so we’ve got a bit of a gym programme in place doing strength in the mornings and cardio in the evening. For food we’re taking turns to cook and wash up, which means once you’ve done your night you’ve got the rest of the week off!'

'I’m really looking forward to the race on Friday, but I’m also looking forward to getting all of the onboard systems we’re required to set up done so that than I can get fully involved with the programme. I recently did the RORC Channel race with racing with the Artemis Ocean Racing Open 60 crew, which was amazing. It was so much fun and really reaffirmed my decision to join the Academy.'

Piers Hugh Smith: 'It looks like it’s going to be a really intense month for us, the training programme we’ve been put on for September is well structured, professional and a big step up from anything I’ve done before.'

'This first week is all about finding our feet and preparing for the race this weekend. I’m sailing Artemis 77, which is currently out of the water and needs a couple of jobs doing ahead of the start. We meet our Race Coach Marcus Hutchinson for the first time this week and I’m looking forward to getting to know him and learning what I can ahead of the race. I’m actually doing the Cherbourg race with Marcus which will is a great opportunity and I’m really looking forward to that contact time with him.'

'I was so excited to find out I’d be training with the new squad in September. I’ve wanted this for a long time and it was a pretty nerve wracking time after the trials, having to wait a little bit longer that everyone else to find out whether I was in. It’s only been a few days with the Academy so far, but I feel really comfortable and I’m looking forward to all the work we’ve got to do and it’s certainly going to be a big learning process for us all which I think I need to get where I need to Artemis Offhsore Academy