New Open 60 for Artemis Ocean Racing team

by Camilla Green on 8 Feb 2007 The Artemis Ocean Racing team will be building a state of the art Open 60, designed by Rogers Yacht Design Ltd this year. The plans for the new boat, which is being built to compete in the 2008 Vendée Globe, are currently well underway. The new Open 60 is scheduled to be launched in early January 2008

The plans for the new boat, which is being built to compete in the 2008 Vendée Globe, are currently well underway. The ‘philosophy’ of the boat has been established and an extensive tank testing session is due to start shortly; the results will then be analyzed alongside CFD and weather routing data.

Simon Rogers brings more than 17 years of knowledge and experience to the design of this boat. His previous projects have included work on some of the worlds leading yachts, both large and small, most recently a revolutionary America’s Cup style 20’ disabled and able bodied yacht, the Artemis 20. This boat is currently hitting the headlines in aiming to vie for Para Olympic selection for 2012.

Artemis Ocean Racing Team announce schedule for 2007

Artemis Ocean Racing, the sailing team sponsored by leading UK investment company, Artemis, also announced their plans and schedule for 2007. The team, skippered by Jonny Malbon has an extensive programme planned for the year, culminating in the double-handed Transat Jaques Vabre race in November.

The schedule will include sailing at Antigua Race Week in the Caribbean where the boat is currently undergoing a mini re-fit. The boat will then be delivered back to the UK where it will compete in the Calais Round Britain Race, Round the Island Race, Cowes – Dinard – St. Malo Race, Cowes Week and the Fastnet Race. Artemis Ocean Racing will then participate in the Transat Jacques Vabre, the classic double-handed race from Le Havre to Brazil, which is set to be an epic battle across the Atlantic.

Jonny Malbon, who skippered Artemis Ocean Racing to victory in the Round Britain and Ireland race last year, will be skippering the boat. His co-skipper for the double-handed events will be announced in due course.

Jonny Malbon, skipper of Artemis Ocean Racing commented: 'We have a lot going on this year with preparation for an intensive racing programme and with the build of the new boat. We have a fantastic team working on the boat over here in the Caribbean and in the UK working on the new build, which is progressing really well. It is a very exiting time for Artemis Ocean Racing and I can’t wait to get out there and start racing.'

Mark Tyndall, Chief Executive of Artemis commented: 'As we enter our second year of sponsorship in sailing we are all greatly looking forward to what lies ahead. The team has an exciting and challenging schedule but we believe that they are well positioned to achieve great things. We wish them all the very best and will be following their progress avidly.'

The Boat

Open 60s are one of the fastest boats in sailing - built in carbon fibre using the latest hi-tech structures; they are designed to be as light as possible for speed but strong enough to withstand the worst of conditions.

They are designed from the outset to be sailed by just one person. There are very few comforts aboard, and the helmsman spends most of the time in the 'crash' seats in a cuddy that separates the open cockpit and deck from the Navigation work station. This is the nerve system, packed with electronics and computer equipment to help navigate, check performance, and communicate.

The boat has a number of different sails to suit various conditions - not as many sails as a boat designed to be sailed by a 12 strong crew, but enough to keep the solo skipper working hard all the time matching sail plan to wind and sea conditions. There are three types of sails - a mainsail, headsails on furlers (rolled up around the stays) and a spinnaker - although alone, the spinnaker is only used in very stable conditions (to be caught in a squall with this huge balloon of sail could mean disaster - end of race).

The boats also have to prove their ability to turn themselves the right way up if they become knocked down or turn upside down. This is part of the latest IMOCA safety rules which require the boat to right without the assistance of waves by the skipper taking some action to turn the boat over.

Previously sailed as Pindar AlphaGraphics, the Artemis boat is widely recognised as one of the fastest yachts on the circuit. Designed by Owen Clarke and Rob Humphries, it was originally built as Hexagon, for Graham Dalton’s 2002 Around Alone campaign. Since Pindar bought in 2003, it has been finely tuned under the direction of Mike Sanderson and Emma Richards for entry into a number of high profile events, including the Transat Jacques Vabre 2003, the Transat 2004 and the Rolex Fastnet 2005.

For more information please visit www.artemisoceanracing.com