by Artemis Offshore Academy media
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.
Conditions for the race look set to be glamourous all the way, with an
expected downwind start in light breeze, sun and temperatures hitting
around 17 degrees. Here in the UK, the Artemis Figaro Bénéteau II’s
compete in the IRC 2 class and 43 and 21 will be among 19 boats racing
in the class and 104 boats competing on Saturday: “For us the main competition is going to be the other double handed boats,” explained Alex, who takes on his first competitive Figaro race since being selected for the Academy in September. “There
is just one other Figaro competing outside of the Artemis gang, ‘Rare’,
a pink Figaro that finished just behind Yeoman, a J109 that myself and
Robin raced around the Fastnet in 2011.”
For Alex and Dyfrig, who come from a crewed and dingy sailing background, the Cervantes Trophy comes as an opportunity to see how they measure up against the competition. Since having been selected to train with the Academy, the determined duo have spent every available weekend training on the Solent, often in freezing temperatures, perfecting their maneuvers, speed testing and refining their set up: “We’ve put a lot into this season, in terms of both working on the boat and time spent training on the water,” said Dyfrig, who between sailing, is studying for a PhD in Nanotechnology at Swansea University. “It’s been a long winter training often in harsh north easterlies, with Artemis 43 being the only boat to brave the Solent on many weekends. We feel that we’ve earned this weekend’s forecast.”
Robin and Sam, have already competed in a series of races together last season, finishing 18 out of 28 in the RORC Cowes – Dinard- St Malo race in July. The season so far has been exceptionally busy for the pair, as they try to balance their studies and exams with their Figaro training. For Sam, now on the brink of graduating from his three year BSc Hon degree in Navigation and Maritime Science at Plymouth University, the season has been a particularly challenging juggling act: “With the approach of the Cervantes trophy, coupled with the perfect timing of the university exam weeks, the build up to the race has been incredibly busy. However, Robin and I are confident that we have done all that we can do to prepare ourselves and our boat for the race ahead and look forward to just getting out there and pushing hard until the end.”
You can follow the Artemis Offshore Academy double-handers, Alex and Dyfrig and Sam and Robin, to the end in the Cervantes Trophy via our website, Facebook and Twitter.
Solent 6.50
For Alex and Dyfrig, who come from a crewed and dingy sailing background, the Cervantes Trophy comes as an opportunity to see how they measure up against the competition. Since having been selected to train with the Academy, the determined duo have spent every available weekend training on the Solent, often in freezing temperatures, perfecting their maneuvers, speed testing and refining their set up: “We’ve put a lot into this season, in terms of both working on the boat and time spent training on the water,” said Dyfrig, who between sailing, is studying for a PhD in Nanotechnology at Swansea University. “It’s been a long winter training often in harsh north easterlies, with Artemis 43 being the only boat to brave the Solent on many weekends. We feel that we’ve earned this weekend’s forecast.”
Robin and Sam, have already competed in a series of races together last season, finishing 18 out of 28 in the RORC Cowes – Dinard- St Malo race in July. The season so far has been exceptionally busy for the pair, as they try to balance their studies and exams with their Figaro training. For Sam, now on the brink of graduating from his three year BSc Hon degree in Navigation and Maritime Science at Plymouth University, the season has been a particularly challenging juggling act: “With the approach of the Cervantes trophy, coupled with the perfect timing of the university exam weeks, the build up to the race has been incredibly busy. However, Robin and I are confident that we have done all that we can do to prepare ourselves and our boat for the race ahead and look forward to just getting out there and pushing hard until the end.”
You can follow the Artemis Offshore Academy double-handers, Alex and Dyfrig and Sam and Robin, to the end in the Cervantes Trophy via our website, Facebook and Twitter.
Solent 6.50
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. Artemis 438 will be amongst 10 Minis expected on the start line on
Sunday, an increase of three Minis on the 2012 UK Solent 6.50 entry
list.
She’s completed her 1000 mile solo qualifying passage, now Artemis
Offshore Academy Mini sailor Nikki Curwen gets set to complete the final
race miles (from total of 1000nm) required to qualify for the Mini
Transat this weekend 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
Sunday 5th of May at 1300hrs, sailing 290 miles from Lymington to
Plymouth, via the Wolfe Rock. Artemis 438 will be amongst 10 Minis
expected on the start line on Sunday, an increase of three Minis on the
2012 UK Solent 6.50 entry list.
“There is a great mix of competitors entered in the UK race this year,” Nikki reported, “from complete beginners, some of which this will be their first race, through to a handful of seasoned Mini sailors and Mini Transat competitors. There are four Brits entered in the 2013 Mini Transat; Pip Hare, Jake Jefferis, Luke Dampier and myself, all of whom are racing this weekend.”
Artemis Offshore Academy Mini sailor Nikki Curwen is just 290nm away
from qualifying for the Mini Transat © Artemis Offshore Academy
“There is a great mix of competitors entered in the UK race this year,” Nikki reported, “from complete beginners, some of which this will be their first race, through to a handful of seasoned Mini sailors and Mini Transat competitors. There are four Brits entered in the 2013 Mini Transat; Pip Hare, Jake Jefferis, Luke Dampier and myself, all of whom are racing this weekend.”
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.”
With light airs of 6 knots forecast for the start, building to 8 knots
and then dropping to just 3 knots on the approach to the finish line,
the 290 mile Fuel Cell Systems UK Solent 6.50 looks set to be a slow
race, taking around three days as Lizzy explained: “It will be a
tactical race with tidal gates to make and in the light winds mistakes
will lead to big losses on the race course. The wind is forecast to
predominantly blow from the south-south-east, which means we can get the
big sails up to hold a more downwind course - better than having to
sail upwind!”
For Artemis Offshore Academy part-time sailor and Mini campaign assistant Lizzy, the Fuel Cell UK Systems Solent 6.50 will be her first competitive race in the boat with Nikki: “I am really looking forward to getting out on the water, every time I sail the Mini, I love it a little bit more. It’s true Mini madness!, I’m keen to see just how much progress Nikki has made after her Mediterranean racing, and hope to learn a trick or two from her.”
Being the first UK race of her season, her final Mini Transat qualifying race and the first opportunity for Nikki to pit herself against her fellow Transat competitors, the Fuel Cell Systems comes as an important milestone in the 2013 Artemis Mini 6.50 campaign.
“I've had a good run of results this season so far, and I hope to continue that in this one. On top of the buzz of finishing the race, knowing that I’ve qualified for the Mini Transat as I cross the finish line will be a great feeling.” Nikki concluded.
You can follow Nikki and Lizzy’s race via the tracker, the Artemis Offshore Academy website, Facebook and Twitter.
Solo Concarneau
For Artemis Offshore Academy part-time sailor and Mini campaign assistant Lizzy, the Fuel Cell UK Systems Solent 6.50 will be her first competitive race in the boat with Nikki: “I am really looking forward to getting out on the water, every time I sail the Mini, I love it a little bit more. It’s true Mini madness!, I’m keen to see just how much progress Nikki has made after her Mediterranean racing, and hope to learn a trick or two from her.”
Being the first UK race of her season, her final Mini Transat qualifying race and the first opportunity for Nikki to pit herself against her fellow Transat competitors, the Fuel Cell Systems comes as an important milestone in the 2013 Artemis Mini 6.50 campaign.
“I've had a good run of results this season so far, and I hope to continue that in this one. On top of the buzz of finishing the race, knowing that I’ve qualified for the Mini Transat as I cross the finish line will be a great feeling.” Nikki concluded.
You can follow Nikki and Lizzy’s race via the tracker, the Artemis Offshore Academy website, Facebook and Twitter.
Solo Concarneau
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.
Conditions for the race look set to be moderate throughout, sailing in 10-15 knots, upwind for the start, with wind speeds forecast to top out at 20 knots during the race. Although giving the skippers a break from the 30+ knot winds and salt water showers they have become accustomed to, the lighter winds will add to the difficulty of the race as Jack explained: “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 , 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.”
Conditions for the race look set to be moderate throughout, sailing in 10-15 knots, upwind for the start, with wind speeds forecast to top out at 20 knots during the race. Although giving the skippers a break from the 30+ knot winds and salt water showers they have become accustomed to, the lighter winds will add to the difficulty of the race as Jack explained: “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 , 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.”
“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.”
Conditions for the race look set to be moderate throughout, sailing in
10-15 knots, upwind for the start, with wind speeds forecast to top out
at 20 knots during the race. Although giving the skippers a break from
the 30+ knot winds and salt water showers they have become accustomed
to, the lighter winds will add to the difficulty of the race as Jack
explained: “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 , 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.”
Jack gets a face full during training in Concarneau © Artemis Offshore Academy/Brian Carlin
Not only will the six strong Anglo-Saxon alliance come up against the boat crippling rocks of the Atlantic, but they will line up alongside a shortened (19 boats confirmed), but still formidable entry list including Michel Desjoyeaux, Nicolas Lunven, Armel Le Cleac’h, Solo Arrimer winner Morgan Lagraviére and the Class Figaro president, Didier Bouillard. Winner of the Solo Arrimer Rookie class Jack and second placed Ed will be among five rookies competing, including David Kenefick, with all three sailors hoping they can keep the French off of the new generation podium once again: “It’s another tough crowd to beat,” said a realistic Ed. “There’s already so many challenges presented by the course, that you don’t want to think about the competition too much, but as ever my goals for the Solo Concarneau are to stay competitive and with the fleet. There’s a lot riding on this race, so I’ve just got to sail well.”
'Old hand' Nick Cherry is still loving Figaro life © Artemis Offshore Academy/Brian Carlin
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,” said 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.”
For the ‘old hands’, Sam, Nick and Henry, the time to secure those all important sponsors ahead of the Solitaire du Figaro is slipping ever faster through the hour glass: “I’ve been balancing my campaign on a knifes edge since January,” Henry revealed, “but I know I have given it everything I've got either way and I am remaining confident that all will come good in the end, I've made it this far! If I actually pull this off this season, I think it will be just as rewarding as actually finishing the Solitaire itself!”
On the other side of the Solo Concarneau not only lies the welcoming sight of the finish line, but also the next chapter for the fleet, as the final countdown begins to the start of leg one of Class Figaro’s premier event, the Solitaire du Figaro in Bordeaux, France on the 2nd of June.
Ed has sacrificed a lot to follow his dream of competing in the Solitaire du Figaro © Artemis Offshore Academy/Brian Carlin
Jack gets a face full during training in Concarneau © Artemis Offshore Academy/Brian Carlin
Not only will the six strong Anglo-Saxon alliance come up against the boat crippling rocks of the Atlantic, but they will line up alongside a shortened (19 boats confirmed), but still formidable entry list including Michel Desjoyeaux, Nicolas Lunven, Armel Le Cleac’h, Solo Arrimer winner Morgan Lagraviére and the Class Figaro president, Didier Bouillard. Winner of the Solo Arrimer Rookie class Jack and second placed Ed will be among five rookies competing, including David Kenefick, with all three sailors hoping they can keep the French off of the new generation podium once again: “It’s another tough crowd to beat,” said a realistic Ed. “There’s already so many challenges presented by the course, that you don’t want to think about the competition too much, but as ever my goals for the Solo Concarneau are to stay competitive and with the fleet. There’s a lot riding on this race, so I’ve just got to sail well.”
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,” said 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.”
For the ‘old hands’, Sam, Nick and Henry, the time to secure those all important sponsors ahead of the Solitaire du Figaro is slipping ever faster through the hour glass: “I’ve been balancing my campaign on a knifes edge since January,” Henry revealed, “but I know I have given it everything I've got either way and I am remaining confident that all will come good in the end, I've made it this far! If I actually pull this off this season, I think it will be just as rewarding as actually finishing the Solitaire itself!”
On the other side of the Solo Concarneau not only lies the welcoming sight of the finish line, but also the next chapter for the fleet, as the final countdown begins to the start of leg one of Class Figaro’s premier event, the Solitaire du Figaro in Bordeaux, France on the 2nd of June.
The Solo Concarneau line up (confirmed so far)
Name/Nationality/Figaro no./Figaro name/Rookie
Name/Nationality/Figaro no./Figaro name/Rookie
1. Henry Bomby/GBR/19/ZHIK-Made for watercheck
2. Jack Bouttell/GBR/77/Artemis77/Rookie
3. Nick Cherry/GBR/23/Artemis 23
4. Michel Desjoyeaux/FRA/34/TBS
5. Sam Goodchld/GBR/Shelter Box – Disaster Relief
6. Ed Hill/GBR/37/Artemis 37/Rookie
7. Benoit Hochart/FRA/-/Aquarius/Rookie
8. David Kenefick/IRE/45/Full Irish/Rookie
9. Morgan Lagraviére/FRA/1/Vendée
10. Armel Le Cléac'h/FRA/62/Banque Populaire/
11. Yannick Livory/FRA/67/Thermacote France
12. Nicolas Lunven/FRA/3/Generali
13. Xavier Macaire/FRA/8/Herault
14. Pail Meilhat/FRA/6/Skipper Macif
15. Jean Pierre Nicol/FRA/68/Bernard Controls
16. Claire Pruvot/FRA/55/Port de Caen Quistreham/Rookie
17. Julién Villion/FRA/74/Seixo Habitat
18. Didier Bouillard/FRA/69
19. Frederic Duthill/FRA/7/Sepulmic
2. Jack Bouttell/GBR/77/Artemis77/Rookie
3. Nick Cherry/GBR/23/Artemis 23
4. Michel Desjoyeaux/FRA/34/TBS
5. Sam Goodchld/GBR/Shelter Box – Disaster Relief
6. Ed Hill/GBR/37/Artemis 37/Rookie
7. Benoit Hochart/FRA/-/Aquarius/Rookie
8. David Kenefick/IRE/45/Full Irish/Rookie
9. Morgan Lagraviére/FRA/1/Vendée
10. Armel Le Cléac'h/FRA/62/Banque Populaire/
11. Yannick Livory/FRA/67/Thermacote France
12. Nicolas Lunven/FRA/3/Generali
13. Xavier Macaire/FRA/8/Herault
14. Pail Meilhat/FRA/6/Skipper Macif
15. Jean Pierre Nicol/FRA/68/Bernard Controls
16. Claire Pruvot/FRA/55/Port de Caen Quistreham/Rookie
17. Julién Villion/FRA/74/Seixo Habitat
18. Didier Bouillard/FRA/69
19. Frederic Duthill/FRA/7/Sepulmic
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.
