Last line-up before the Vendee

Details of this year's Artemis Challenge charity round the island race for the IMOCA Open 60s

The 2008 The Artemis Challenge, taking place during Skandia Cowes Week has already seen four British IMOCA skippers sign up for the 50-mile sprint around the Isle of Wight to raise money for charity. Many more participants currently finalising their entries.

Following the 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 during Skandia Cowes Week on Tuesday 5 August, 2008.

The Artemis Challenge is part of the IMOCA circuit and will see the Open 60s race against each other to compete for a prize of £10,000. This 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 on board Estrella Damm, pipping Sam Davies on Roxy to the post at the finish line off the Royal Yacht Squadron. The charity “Africa Viva” was the lucky recipient of £10,000 from Altadill, who was aided on board by rugby world cup winner, Will Greenwood, MBE. Artemis Ocean Racing, skippered by 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, on board. Luckily nobody was hurt and the conditions were ideal for a comfortable tow in.

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 prior to this race that the boats will line up 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.