Even Keel Challenge, Cowes Week - Come on down to the parade today!

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 3 Aug 2010 The Even Keel Project is inviting everyone in Cowes today to ‘come on down’ to Cowes Parade at 5.30pm to cheer on the finalists in the inaugural Artemis Even Keel Challenge Pro-Am Series at Cowes Week.

With a strong ebbing tide and fair breeze creating lumpy conditions off the Green for the first races in this new Series yesterday the novice teams, sailing in six Artemis 20 keelboats, dealt admirably with the conditions during some hard fought racing.

The 12 Even Keel Project sailors provided a fantastic spectacle for everyone lining the battlements of the Royal Yacht Squadron and along the Green to view some exciting racing.

Race two in particular provided tight racing during which the younger sailors made their mark over their older rivals with 13-year old Natasha Lambert from Cowes, sailing to victory. Natasha has Athertoid Cerebral Palsy affecting all her limbs, but it doesn’t stop her love for having a go at anything!

She has really enjoyed the sailing she has been doing this past year with the Even Keel Project; thrilling at the speed and being close to the water. In fact she loves anything to do with the water and recently she’s been to the Maldives and snorkled with sharks!

At present, Natasha needs assistance in the Artemis 20 but is hoping in the future she will be able to helm a boat unaided with the use of a sip/puff system like Hilary Lister.

'It really is a surreal feeling, being involved in such an event and at Cowes Week', commented Natasha, through her father Gary. 'I can’t believe this is happening and I’m elated at the prospect of being in the final tonight with Brian (Thompson). I feel very privileged to be a part of it and to be around such a great team at the Even Keel.'

The top three from each of yesterday’s races now battle it out this evening for the inaugural Artemis Even Keel Challenge Trophy with pro-sailors onboard as helmsmen doubtless being equally competitive and showing off their skills amongst their peers.


Crews and pro-helmsmen for today’s final:


• Natasha Lambert – Brian Thompson

• Clare Steeples – Simon Clay

• James Loosemore – Nick Rogers

• Christina Loosemore – Steve White

• Craig Rose – Rob Greenhalgh

• Trevor Hutchinson – Andy Cassell


Cowes Radio will be providing live commentary as the team’s battle it out for the big prize. It’s particularly special for the Challenge and for the sailors involved to have Cowes Radio’s support in their 25th Anniversary year of broadcasting from Cowes Week.

The invitation-only Prizegiving is being held after racing at the Piper Heidsieck Bar in Cowes Yacht Haven. There will be 12 certificates for the initial race crew members, six medals for the finalists and just the one Trophy for the overall winner, all courtesy of Artemis. The prizes will be presented by Richard Turpin, the Managing Director of Artemis Investment Management.

Fun and competitive
This fun and competitive new Race series is the brainchild of the Even Keel Project and its partners UKSA and is being mounted with the full backing and support of its primary sponsor Artemis Investment Management. The Artemis Even Keel Challenge has been put in place to help promote sailing as a ‘sport for all’ to Cowes Week’s captive audience of sailors, media and spectators.

Managing Director Dave Rutter: 'In my opinion, Cowes Week is the best sailing event in the world and it is amazing to be able to offer 12 of our Even Keel Project sailors the opportunity to be able to take part in some racing. Quite a few members of our Artemis Even Keel Challenge teams have rarely, if ever, had the chance to go sailing and now, here they are racing during Cowes Week.

'The impact of The Even Keel Project has been amazing, from the instructors through to the sponsors, all going above and beyond to ensure the Project works at its best. A big thank you to all the pro sailors for going out of their way to help increase the profile of the project, especially having spent the majority of their day on the water already!

'I wish everybody the best of luck and hope to see some of the sailors progressing throughout the year. Who knows? We may have a few Paralympians in-the-making.'

For more information, please go to: www.theevenkeel.com