Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

Three days, three races for the Artemis Offshore Academy squad

by Artemis Offshore Academy 4 May 2013 01:02 AEST 4-6 May 2013
The six non-French skippers lining up for Monday's 350 mile Solo Concarneau, the penultimate race of the season (l to r) David Kenefick, Jack Bouttell, Henry Bomby, Sam Goodchild, Nick Cherry and Ed Hill © Brian Carlin / Artemis Offshore Academy

The May Bank Holiday may come as a welcomed day off for most, but not for the Artemis Offshore Academy, as for the first time this season, the entire Artemis fleet will be out in force competing in three milestone races over the three-day weekend.

Artemis Offshore Academy double-handed Figarists, Alex Gardner and Dyfrig Mon (Artemis 43) and Sam Matson and Robin Elsey (Artemis 21), kick start the weekend with the Cervantes Trophy, setting off from Cowes on Saturday the 4th May at 10:20 BST. Having been working hard in training and on their boats between their University studies since November, the student sailors will put down their books and pull on the Musto wet weather gear, as they put this winters efforts to the test in the 120 mile race from the RYS line to Le Harve, France in their first race competitive of the 2013 season.

Read 'The dress rehearsal is over for the Artemis double-handed duos' in full here.

Come Sunday, Artemis Offshore Academy Mini sailor Nikki Curwen will be preparing to complete the final race miles (from total of 1000 miles) required to qualify for the Mini Transat in her first Class Mini race on home turf, the Fuel Cell Systems UK Solent 6.50. Sailing double-handed with co-skipper and preparateur Lizzy Foreman, the all girl Artemis duo will set off on the 5th of May at 13:00 BST, sailing 290 miles from Lymington to Plymouth, via the Wolfe Rock.

Having secured two top ten finishing positions in her past two Mediterranean Mini races, Nikki looks forward the race in home waters and lining up against the UK Mini sailing community for the first time this season: "It will be interesting to see how I measure up against the group, especially against Pip Hare, who is an experienced female Mini sailor and has already competed in the Mini Transat. I'm also looking forward to sailing with Lizzy, and of course, crossing the line and knowing that I've qualified for the Mini Transat."

Read 'Artemis Mini sailor Nikki Curwen gets set to qualify on home turf' in full here.

Across the channel, it's crunch time in Concarneau, as Artemis Offshore Academy skippers Jack Bouttell, Ed Hill, Sam Goodchild, Henry Bomby, Nick Cherry and 'Full Irish' sailor David Kenefick set their sails for the Solo Concarneau. This final test before the 2013 Solitaire du Figaro in one months time, sees the fleet cross the start line in Concarneau, France on Monday 6th of May at 14:00 BST, and race along 350 miles of the rugged Brittany coastline.

"It's going to be a hard course, heading up through the infamous Raz de Sein, around some fairly epic rocks and back through the Glénans," explained Jack, "and the lighter winds will only make navigating around the rocky course more difficult. But it's a good dry run for the Solitaire, as the Solo Concarneau follows some of the same course as the third leg of the race, from Gijon, Spain to Roscoff France."

The Solo Concarneau comes as an important milestone for the Academy skippers, with the number of Artemis Offshore Academy boats competing in the Solitaire du Figaro set to be announced after this final indicator race: "I've put everything into this season and to compete in the Solitaire is everything we've been working towards," continued Jack. "I've not been putting pressure on by thinking about the decision, but if I miss out on the race this time, I reckon I'll be on the first plane to South America to go climbing and getting as far away from boats as possible, for a bit – to say I'd be disappointed doesn't begin to describe how I'd feel."

Read 'It's crunch time in Concarneau for the Artemis Offshore Academy soloists' in full here.

You can follow the sailors' progress during the Cervantes Trophy, the Fuel Cell Systems UK Solent 6.50 and the Solo Concarneau via the Artemis Offshore Academy website, Facebook and Twitter.

Related Articles

Transpac 2025 final starters depart LA
The largest boats with the longest waterlines already burning up the miles to Hawaii The 20 biggest, fastest boats racing in the 2025 Transpac began their offshore sprint from Los Angeles, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday. Posted today at 1:05 am
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 3
The fleet is now ready for the finals at Fraglia Vela Riva The 29er European Championship 2025 in Riva del Garda is already making history. With 251 teams from 29 nations, this year's edition has gathered one of the largest and most competitive fleets in class history. Posted on 5 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 4
All on the line Sunday as American Magic Quantum Racing seek to close out eighth world title After three spectacular races today on Cascais, Portugal's showcase high winds arena, Doug DeVos' seven times world title winners American Magic Quantum Racing lead into the final day of the 2025 Rolex TP52 Worlds with a hard earned five points buffer. Posted on 5 Jul
North launches new Wingfoil Race Collection
Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace. Engineered with a VMG-optimised partial double skin for improved aerodynamic efficiency, lower drag and precise manoeuvres at higher speeds. Posted on 5 Jul
AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water. Posted on 4 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D5
Stage set for Finals showdown in Marstrand With just one day to go at the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, the stage is set for a thrilling finale in both the Open and Women's classes. Posted on 4 Jul
Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section. Posted on 4 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 2
Light breeze, boat park buzz and big wins off the water >Day 2 brought lighter winds to Lake Garda, but the energy around the event stayed sky-high. Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 3
French tour de force gives Paprec world championship lead As the Rolex TP52 World Championship passed its midway point today in Cascais, Portugal it is the French underdogs on Paprec, led by ocean racing legend Loïck Peyron, which has taken the overall lead. Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again? Posted on 4 Jul
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeExcess CatamaransX-Yachts X4.3