Artemis will be staging the second Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week in 2008, following the phenomenal success of the inaugural event in 2007. The Artemis Challenge forms part of the Skandia Cowes Week IRC Class 0 Big Boat Series and pits some of the best of the IMOCA Open 60 Fleet against each other in a 50-mile sprint around the Isle of Wight. The skippers and crews will be competing for a generous prize fund that will be donated to the winning team’s charity of choice. In addition, the winning entry picks up the Artemis Challenge Trophy.

The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week was introduced in order to promote the IMOCA Open 60 class in British waters - and where better to do that than at Skandia Cowes Week? Artemis Investment Management has an established business relationship with title sponsor Skandia, and is equally passionate about performance both on and off the water.

Last year saw Guillermo Altadill of Spain claim victory onboard the new 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. 2007’s event saw a dramatic first race for the Pindar Open 60, who dis-masted 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. 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.

Artemis Investment Management CEO Mark Tyndall commented, “We want to celebrate the presence of the Open 60 Class at Skandia Cowes Week and provide a spectacle for the viewing public. The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week in 2007 was an enjoyable day for everyone involved and a real crowd-pleaser and for 2008, we look forward to welcoming a world-class fleet of yachts, promoting the sport and making a 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.”