News

June 12, 2008

The 2008 edition of The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week looks set to be a phenomenal success. Four British IMOCA skippers have already signed up for the 50-mile sprint around the Isle of Wight to raise money for charity, with many more participants currently finalizing their entries. Following the huge success of the inaugural event in 2007, Artemis Investment Management, one of the UK’s leading investment companies, will be staging the second Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week on Tuesday August 5th,, 2008.

The Artemis Challenge is an annual race that takes place in the middle of the world’s largest sailing regatta. Organised under IMOCA rules, it looks set to feature some of the biggest names on the IMOCA circuit and could develop into one of the most popular exhibition events in the IMOCA calendar. The Open 60 entries will race against each other to compete for a generous prize fund of £10,000 that will be donated to the winning team’s charity of choice, with the skipper taking home the Artemis Challenge Trophy.

Last year saw Spain’s Guillermo Altadill claim victory onboard Estrella Damm, pipping Sam Davies on Roxy to the finish line off the Royal Yacht Squadron. The charity “Africa Viva” was the lucky recipient of £10,000 from Altadill, who was aided and abetted by rugby world cup winner, Will Greenwood, MBE. Artemis Ocean Racing, skippered by rising British star Jonny Malbon, finished fourth, enjoying the day out with Royalty as Lady Gabriella Windsor took to the helm.

2007’s event also saw a dramatic first race for the Pindar IMOCA Open 60, who dismasted with Volvo Ocean Race-winning skipper Mike Sanderson and his wife, solo round the world yachtswoman, Emma Richards, onboard. Luckily nobody was hurt and the conditions were ideal for a comfortable tow back to the South Coast.

The 2008 edition has already attracted the following IMOCA entries:

1. Artemis Ocean Racing II, skippered by Jonny Malbon (GBR)

2. Aviva, skippered by Dee Caffari (GBR)

3. Pindar, skippered by Brian Thompson (GBR)

4. Artemis Ocean Racing I, skippered by Simon Clay (GBR)

The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week was introduced in order to promote the IMOCA Open 60 Class in British waters. Artemis Investment Management CEO Mark Tyndall commented, “We wanted to create an event to celebrate the presence of the IMOCA Open 60 Class at Skandia Cowes Week and provide a spectacle for the viewing public. The Artemis Challenge in 2007 was an enjoyable day for everyone involved and a real crowd-pleaser. For 2008, we look forward to welcoming a world-class fleet of yachts, promoting the sport and making a sizeable donation to charity. Let’s hope for similar conditions to last year, with glorious sunshine and strong winds. I believe we can make the event into one of the most admired and fun days out within the IMOCA circuit.”

The strong line-up is dominated by the British solo skippers preparing to take on the Everest of sailing in November, the Vendée Globe. It will be the last time for the boats to prove their raw speed against each other in a tight fleet race. A number of IMOCA teams from France and Britain are finalising their entries and the event organisers are confident the fleet will continue to grow.

The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week is a crewed format and the skippers will be offering the opportunity for high profile names to help them claim the charitable prize. Further announcements will be made on the various charities to be supported by each team and their celebrity guests.