Artemis Offshore Academy appoints new Training and Development Manager

by Artemis Offshore Academy on 26 Feb 2016 The Artemis Offshore Academy – the UK’s only training programme for solo offshore ocean racers – is pleased to announce the appointment of Jack Grundy as Training and Development Manager.

Jack joins the Isle of Wight-based Academy having spent the last two years with Bath University as an athlete support officer, concentrating on developing elite athletes whilst they complete their studies at the university.

Jack, 26, is a former British triathlon team member and has a multi-sport background with training and coaching qualifications not just in sailing, but in a range of sports giving him extensive understanding and experience of working in with a variety of sports at a performance level.

Prior to his time at Bath, Jack spent three years at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy on the Isle of Wight as coach to the British Keelboat Academy, coordinating their sport science and fitness programmes.

Jack joins the Artemis Offshore Academy at the beginning of a busy race season and he will be looking to make an immediate impact on the performance of the sailors by working with them on their pre-race routines. With the rookie sailors he will focus on ensuring that they are psychologically ready to take on the challenge of racing solo in a big and competitive fleet for the first time.

“Helping the rookies set sensible performance goals, dealing with the inevitable pre-race nerves, and hosting honest debriefs will be my initial priority,” said Grundy.

“But I’m also looking forward to working with the alumni sailors, including those that have moved on from the Figaro Class, to help plan their future careers, as they make their way towards an appearance in the Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race – the ultimate goal for many solo sailors.'

“I’ve spent the last few years working across a range of sports, and I’m particularly looking forward to concentrating on the short-handed discipline within the Academy. What has been achieved so far is impressive; I’m ready to help the team step it up another notch further.”

Academy director Charles Darbyshire believes the sailors in the programme and the alumni will benefit hugely from Grundy’s input, as the Academy looks to strengthen its delivery and support team and build on its most successful year to date in 2015.

“Jack’s athlete management background is just the experience the sailors need to manage efficiently their development and training programmes,” said Darbyshire. “Co-ordinating the wider group of specialist coaches is an important part of this new task, and we know he’s going to make a difference to the Academy from day one.”

In addition to managing the programmes of the existing Academy sailors, Grundy’s role will also encompass new sailor recruitment, alumni career development and management of Academy training sponsors.

There will be eight British sailors on the startline of the 2016 Solitaire Bompard - Le Figaro, which has a British stopover in Cowes, between 21st–26th June. During the stopover Grundy will host a talk on solo sailor development for those interested in taking up the discipline.

The Artemis Offshore Academy is supported by: Artemis Investment Management, Pol Roger Champagne, Musto, Marlow Ropes, Elliot Brown Watches and Spinlock.