Artemis Challenge – World speed record officially ratified + Video

by Artemis Challenge on 7 Sep 2012 The Artemis Challenge 2012 was held during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. The new world record set by Michel Desjoyeaux’s Foncia, circumnavigating the Isle of Wight in just 2 hours, 21 minutes and 25 seconds, has now been officially ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC). Foncia, skippered by ‘Le Professor’ of French offshore racing was joined by a crew that included ocean racing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail single-handed around the world non-stop, and double Olympic silver medalist and Volvo Ocean Race skipper Ian Walker.

Replay the Artemis Challenge via the race tracker here.

During the Artemis Challenge both MOD70s – Foncia and Oman Sail’s Musandam - smashed the previous record by over ten minutes. The previous record had been held by adventurer and multiple record setting sailor Steve Fossett on the Maxi catamaran Playstation, and had stood for an incredible 11 years. Few had come close to breaking this record in the past and there was an air of excitement as the day of the Artemis Challenge dawned, with a real sense of anticipation that perhaps this could be the day the record would tumble. Brian Thompson, a long time watch captain for Fossett on many record attempts, was competing onboard Musandam-Oman Sail and he said before the start that: 'he could feel a record coming in his boots,' and so it transpired. Foncia romped around the island with Musandam-Oman Sail skippered by Sidney Gavignet finishing just 1 minute and 28 seconds behind. Also onboard Musandam-Oman Sail was world record holder Dee Caffari.

After initial hopes of making the first leg to the Needles on one tack the MOD70s were forced to make a series of tacks down the western Solent, resulting in the slowest average leg speed of the race at 13.8 knots. The MOD70s then tacked round the Needles with Foncia taking the lead as the teams flew over the next 12nm to St. Catherines Point Lighthouse in just 21 minutes. The second half of the race was equally fast-paced for the two teams after gybing up to Bembridge, clocking up an average speed of 21.5 knots. The MOD70s then put the pedal to the metal as they closed in on the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in Cowes at impressive speeds that touched the mid 30s, with an average speed of 29.5 knots finishing the final leg of the race in 26 minutes.

For the Artemis Challenge both MOD70s were paired with an IMOCA 60, drawn from a hat at random by London 2012 Olympic silver medalist Nick Dempsey at the skippers briefing. The pairings saw Foncia and Gamesa race together and Musandam-Oman Sail and Artemis Ocean Racing II in a team. Gamesa, skippered by Vendée Globe skipper Mike Golding, who also had Olympic match racers Annie Lush and Katie Macgregor on his team, and Artemis Ocean Racing II skippered by double Olympic medalist Nick Dempsey and fellow Olympic sailor Lucy Macgregor, also relished a close race with Artemis Ocean Racing II crossing the line just 2 minutes behind Gamesa, after Golding overhauled his competitor on the final leg.

The winning team of Foncia and Gamesa, who were both first in their class, secured the prize pot of £12,000 divided equally for their charities Institut Curie and Save the Children.

2012 Artemis Challenge finish times:
Foncia: 2h 21m 25s (New World Record)
Musandam-Oman Sail: 2h 22m 53s
Gamesa: 4h 46m 56s
Artemis Ocean Racing II: 4h 48m 07s

2012 Artemis Challenge team parings
Team A: Foncia and Gamesa
Team B: Musandam-Oman Sail and Artemis Ocean Racing II