Stars join the Artemis Challenge

Names to sail round the island on IMOCA Open 60s next week

Celebrity guests from the worlds of sport, politics and television are to join the British IMOCA Open 60 fleet next Tueday for the Artemis Challenge race around the Isle of Wight.

The line-up includes TV presenters Davina McCall (on Hugo Boss), Georgie Thompson (on BT), Simon Thomas and Jonny Ball (both on Steve White's Spirit of Weymouth). .
Sports stars competing will include rugby's James Haskell (on Artemis Ocean Racing 1), Commonwealth Gold Medalist Dean Macey (on Aviva) and Volvo ocean Race sailor Mike Sanderson sailing on the steed he and designer Juan Kouyoumdjian originally conceived - Brian Thompson's Pindar.

Finally the world of politics is represented by former Tony Blair master of spin Alastair Campbell, who is racing with Simon Clay on Artemis Ocean Racing II (the original Artemis).

Winner of the 50 mile sprint around the island will receive £10,000 to donate to the charity of their choice