Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week

by Artemis Challenge media on 3 Aug 2009
The final line-up for Wednesday’s third annual Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week boasts a high-class field of top competitors and the biggest fleet since the race began.

Ten of the world’s leading Open 60 sailors, who between them have notched up an impressive nine solo circumnavigations of the globe, accompanied by some well-known faces, will take to the water for the high-speed sprint around the Isle of Wight. At 10am the public will gather to watch the race start in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, and each skipper will be hoping that they can clinch victory and scoop a £10,000 prize for charity.

Artemis Ocean Racing will be helmed by new co-skippers Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet. Sam joined the Artemis Ocean Racing team in June and her sailing skills are highly regarded since her magnificent result in the last edition of the Vendée Globe where she returned as the leading woman and first Brit home, finishing in an impressive fourth position. Sam and Sidney will be welcoming Eventing World Champion Zara Phillips onboard to compete for their nominated charity Skill Force.

Also in the Artemis fold, Simon Clay, skipper of Artemis the Profit Hunter, will be joined by international rock star Bryan Adams, and they will be competing for the Bryan Adams Foundation.

Other finishers of the Vendée Globe taking part include Steve White who will be sailing Toe in the Water and will be joined by actress Denise Black. Steve’s nominated to split the prize money equally between the RNLI and the Toe in the Water charity. Another top British female, Dee Caffari, will be sailing her trusty Aviva in aid of Sail 4 Cancer. Dee will be joined by adventurer and explorer Neil Laughton.

Sébastien Josse will be sailing his Vendée yacht, BT IMOCA 60, in aid of The Ellen MacArthur Trust, and will be joined by Dame Ellen MacArthur and Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank. Unai Basurko aboard Pakea Bizkaia will be competing for Cruz Roja (Spanish Red Cross of the Sea).

Another sailing legend to take part is Sir Robin Knox- Johnston aboard his Eco 60 Grey Power. Sir Robin this year celebrates the 40 year anniversary of his historic solo circumnavigation of the globe and shows no sign of slowing down at the age of 70. He will be joined by young sailing hope Hannah Jenner, and they will be taking part for the Trinity Sailing Trust in Brixham (Devon).

Last year’s winner, Team Pindar, skippered by Volvo Ocean Race winner Mike Sanderson, will be looking to defend its title in honour of Earthwatch, despite the news that the team’s owners have put the boat up for sale. Mike will be joined by explorer, polar guide and expedition leader Paul Rose.

Popular French sailor Arnaud Boissières will be aboard his new yacht, Akena Vérandas (former PRB), and they will be hoping to score a win for charity A Chacun son Everest. And last but not least, Alex Thomson will be sailing Hugo Boss and his nominated charity is The Quayside Education Centre in Gosport.

The impressive competitor list means that race organisers can be confident of an exciting and hotly contested race. The skill and drive required to do be successful in The Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week will be a great warm-up for all of those going on to compete in the gruelling Rolex Fastnet Race on Sunday.