1280435504 http://lamp8.ocvision.co.uk/ en josie.robinson@ocgroup.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-27T11:18:43+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/british_sports_stars_take_to_the_water_for_the_artemis_challenge/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/british_sports_stars_take_to_the_water_for_the_artemis_challenge/#When:10:18:43Z Sporting stars Zara Phillips, Amy Williams and former England rugby international Martin Bayfield will this year join teams sailing in the Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week… Sporting stars Zara Phillips, Amy Williams and former England rugby international Martin Bayfield will this year join teams sailing in the Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week. The race, an annual IMOCA 60 sprint round the Isle of Wight attracting some of the biggest names in ocean racing, sees teams competing for a generous £10,000 charity prize fund, donated by Artemis Investment Management. Onboard Artemis Ocean Racing, reigning Eventing World Champion Zara Phillips will be joined by Amy Williams. Amy defied the odds to bring home a skeleton bobsleigh gold medal from Vancouver this year and was Team GB’s only gold medallist of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Zara, who competed in last year’s Artemis Challenge along with boyfriend Mike Tindall is back with a vengeance to try and claim the £10,000 charity donation. The pair will be sailing with double Olympic sailing medallist Simon Hiscocks who will skipper Artemis Ocean Racing for the day and is racing for the children’s charity ‘Kid’s Company’. Up against the pair will be Martin Bayfield - since retiring from rugby he has, amongst other things, played the role of Robbie Coltrane’s body double ‘Hagrid’ in the Harry Potter films.  Martin will be joining British sailor Dee Caffari who holds the record for being the first woman to sail solo, nonstop, around the world in both directions. Their chosen charity is ‘Toe in the Water’. West Country sailor Steve White will be joined by James and Oliver Phelps, the Weasley twins from the Harry Potter films, who are also back for a second year in an effort to secure the £10,000 for the RNLI, their chosen charity this year and the Cowes Week official charity 2010. European teams, French sailing legend Roland Jourdain on Veolia Environnement, and Ryan Breymaier and Boris Herrmann aboard VE1 also all have their sights firmly set on the prize fund for their chosen charities: ‘Plan France’ and the ‘Chemo Outreach Project’ respectively.  Amy Williams commented: “Though I have never sailed before I am really looking forward to The Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week. I’ve always wanted to give sailing a try, and it’s great to be able to do something different; I’m sure life out at sea is pretty different to life on the skeleton bob track! I know everyone’s in it to win it, but it’s great to be racing not only for your yourselves, but also for others, since we’re all competing for charity. I just hope we have a quick boat!” The event, now in its fourth year, will take place on Tuesday 3rd August at 0950 BST. The Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week is recognised as a key event of the Cowes Week regatta, one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events which attracts thousands of spectators each year. The Artemis Challenge, sponsored by Artemis Investment Management, one of the UK’s leading investment companies and the largest British sponsor in offshore sailing, is a magnificent spectacle, showcasing the best of offshore racing within easy reach of spectators.Visit the Artemis Challenge website and follow the race as it unfolds via the LIVE race tracking, latest news and images : www.artemischallenge.com Challenge 2010-07-27T10:18:43+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/jonny_malbon_in_the_starting_blocks_for_his_second_solitaire_du_figaro/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/jonny_malbon_in_the_starting_blocks_for_his_second_solitaire_du_figaro/#When:11:29:21Z After a very encouraging 17th place in the Prologue race yesterday, Jonny Malbon and Artemis are ready to take the start of the 41st Solitaire du Figaro in Le Havre tomorrow. Fighting against 44 other competitors, including some of France’s finest soloists, the British skipper can’t wait to set sails for his second participation… After a very encouraging 17th place in the Prologue race yesterday, Jonny Malbon and Artemis are ready to take the start of the 41st Solitaire du Figaro in Le Havre tomorrow. Fighting against 44 other competitors, including some of France’s finest soloists, the British skipper can’t wait to set sails for his second participation.Watch the latest video interview with Jonny HERE“This time last year, I would not have been capable of that result,” said a delighted Jonny Malbon looking back on the 17th place he managed to secure yesterday in the Solitaire du Figaro Prologue race. “It does not mean that things are going to be easy of course, but it’s certainly morale-boosting.” The two-hour race, in a weak breeze and a strong tidal current, was won by France’s current Singlehanded Offshore National Champion Gildas Morvan. “The wind was very light,” continues Jonny, “and we had three general recalls before we could take a proper start. I chose not to fill the ballasts* and stayed out of trouble while there was a lot of shouting and boats banging on the line. I had a good first beat and upwind mark rounding, then things got more complicated and the fleet ended up split in two. I was confident with my tactical choice and was really glad to cross the finish line just seconds after Sébastien Josse, who’s definitely one of the top guys in the class. Franck Citeau, our coach from the CEM (Mediterranean Training Centre, was on the water and confirmed that I was not lacking any boat speed and that I could keep up with the best guys… That’s very positive and I’m happy it went so well.”With a last day shore looking very busy between race briefings and measurements sessions, Jonny is now impatient to get into the thick of it having planned a very early night: “It’s quite clear that there won’t be a lot of opportunities to get some sleep on this first leg. By the look of it, it should take us four and a half days to reach Gijon in Spain. Even if I know it’s going to be very tough, I’m extremely positive and enthusiastic. This is the race I’ve been waiting for and I understand why so many of these guys are hooked! It’s a special event with an atmosphere of its own.”Click here to follow Jonny’s Solitaire du Figaro - all the latest news, positions map and results.*Editor’s Note: lateral water ballast tanks, providing extra stability, are generally used when the wind exceeds 7 knots. If filled in very light conditions they will slow the boat down.A “pièce de résistance” for starters: Le Havre (France) – Gijon (Spain)515 nautical miles (953 km)The first leg of this 41st Solitaire du Figaro will start by a crossing of the Seine bay, heading to the West – North West in order to clear the Cotentin tip. The tricky business starts right after that, with the very powerful tidal currents of the Raz Blanchard, the fleet having then to chose between two main option to negotiate the passage of the Channel Islands: this first potential dividing point could prove determining for the outcome of the leg. The first night won’t allow for any rest, since the skippers will have to keep a close eye on the treacherous rocks along the Pink Granite Coast and the Seven Islands area. Local knowledge could play an important part here, and competitors like Yann Eliès or Armel Le Cléac’h know that zone like the back of their hands… Going around Western Brittany on day 2 should not prove more relaxing since the way is paved with islands (Batz, Ile Vierge Molène, Sein…) and shallow passages where currents create amazingly disturbed sea states, even in the absence of wind – the term “cauldron effect” is a good description of what happens there!Then, finally, the remaining 270 miles will be covered right in the middle of the Bay of Biscay, which can be tough too but at least offers some wide open spaces… well, on paper at least, because in a Figaro fleet you’re never far away from another boat! Gijon is a traditional Solitaire stopover, and strong winds have often been experienced by the fleet just before the finish line, making for an exhausting first leg. 2010-07-26T11:29:21+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/strong_international_line-up_for_the_artemis_challenge_20101/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/strong_international_line-up_for_the_artemis_challenge_20101/#When:09:24:05Z The fourth edition of the Artemis Challenge on Tuesday, 3rd August will see a strong international line-up for the annual IMOCA 60 round the island sprint and a star-studded list of celebrities who will be onboard the boats competing for the £10,000 charity prize fund. The fourth edition of the Artemis Challenge on Tuesday, 3rd August will see a strong international line-up for the annual IMOCA 60 round the island sprint and a star-studded list of celebrities who will be onboard the boats competing for the £10,000 charity prize fund.Flying the British flag will be Artemis Ocean Racing helmed by double Olympic medallist Simon Hiscocks. They will be joined on the start line by West Country sailor Steve White aboard Toe in the Water who impressively completed the last Vendee Globe against the odds. Sole female skipper Dee Caffari will take part in the Artemis Challenge aboard her Open 60, Gaes Centros Auditivos. Dee and her Spanish co-skipper, Anna Corbella, will be the only female crew taking part in the Barcelona World Race later this year. Up against the strong British contingent will be sailing legend Roland Jourdain on Veolia Environment who with over 20 years experience on the circuit, has gathered an impressive list of line honours. Arnaud Boissières skippering Akena Verandas makes the journey to Cowes for this event for the second year whilst Ryan Breymaier and Boris Herrmann, who will later this year compete in the Barcelona World Race, will join the fray aboard VE1 for the first time.  Challenge 2010-07-26T09:24:05+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/solitaire_du_figaro_artemis_challenge_and_cowes_week_a_busy_time_ahead_for_/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/solitaire_du_figaro_artemis_challenge_and_cowes_week_a_busy_time_ahead_for_/#When:10:31:14Z The 2010 season will soon be in full swing for Artemis with the Solitaire du Figaro starting in one week’s time and then Cowes Week starting on 31st July that includes the fourth edition of the Artemis Challenge. And more news on the Artemis Offshore Academy will be released soon… The 2010 season will soon be in full swing for Artemis with the Solitaire du Figaro starting in one week’s time and then Cowes Week starting on 31st July that includes the fourth edition of the Artemis Challenge.  And more news on the Artemis Offshore Academy will be released soon…Jonny Malbon will be racing the Artemis Figaro in the gruelling “Solitaire” starting on July 27th from Le Havre in France. With more miles under his belt and an intense winter’s training at Centre d’Entraînement Méditerranée, Jonny is relishing the opportunity to participate again in this event. Read Jonny’s thoughts on the up and coming event below and go to the website to find out all about this incredible event that is now celebrating its 41st edition!Artemis are supporting Britain’s best-known sailing regatta this year – Cowes Week starting on 31st July - in a partnership that will see competitor entry fees remain at the same level as 2009. They will also continue their support of the Red Arrows display on the final Friday, a spectacle enjoyed by thousands on and off the water. And included in the Cowes Week line-up of events is the Artemis Challenge. The fourth edition of this popular event on Tuesday, 3rd August will see a strong international line-up for the annual IMOCA 60 round the island sprint and a star-studded list of celebrities who will be onboard the boats competing for the £10,000 charity prize fund.Flying the British flag will be Artemis Ocean Racing helmed by double Olympic medallist Simon Hiscocks. They will be joined on the start line by West Country sailor Steve White aboard Toe in the Water who impressively completed the last Vendee Globe against the odds. Sole female skipper Dee Caffari will take part in the Artemis Challenge aboard her Open 60, Gaes Centros Auditivos. Dee and her Spanish co-skipper, Anna Corbella, will be the only female crew taking part in the Barcelona World Race later this year. Up against the strong British contingent will be sailing legend Roland Jourdain on Veolia Environment who with over 20 years experience on the circuit, has gathered an impressive list of line honours. Arnaud Boissières skippering Akena Verandas makes the journey to Cowes for this event for the second year whilst Ryan Breymaier and Boris Herrmann, who will later this year compete in the Barcelona World Race, will join the fray aboard VE1 for the first time.  More from Jonny and the 41st edition of the Solitaire du Figaro…A look at the 2010 editionFor his second Solitaire, Jonny Malbon and Artemis will be lined-up against 47 single-handers, including some of the most experienced French offshore experts like Jérémie Beyou, Yann Eliès, Sébastien Josse, Gildas Morvan and Armel Le Cléac’h. The race will start in Le Havre and head to Gijon (Spain), before taking competitors back up the Bay of Biscay to Brest. From there, the fleet will charge towards Kinsale in Ireland, a traditional Figaro stopover that has become famous for the quality of its onshore entertainment! The final leg, between Kinsale and Cherbourg, will be a tricky one due to the strong tidal currents that always play a crucial role in cross-Channel stages. A total of 1,717 nautical miles will be covered by the competitors, yet one can safely say each leg will be fought for in the last few miles… In this game it is not rare to see a boat win by seconds!We caught up with skipper Jonny Malbon in Cowes just before his cross-Channel delivery trip to Le Havre and the start line…About his second anticipated Solitaire event:“I was looking forward to it last year but this time I’m coming back even more eagerly because I know what I’m stepping into. I’ve identified my weaknesses, but I also know where my strong points are, having worked on them all winter long with the CEM and Franck Citeau in La Grande Motte. It’s an incredibly tough circuit, and even the guys who are at the very bottom of the leaderboard train hard.  To rise above the lower third of the pack is really tough when you’re new to the class, I’m conscious of that and I won’t let it get me down. I loved the race last year, I’m going to love it even more this summer.”About the level of competition:“The Figaro circuit is brutal. You can take a good start, have good speed upwind and manage to stay with the very good guys - which I’ve been capable of this season - but if you mess up your hoist or you’re a bit hesitant on a mark rounding, you can see 10 boats overtake you in a snap. Very frustrating when it happens, but it does, and each time it’s a reminder of how good you have to be to deserve your place in that fleet. But I’ve made a lot of progress, I feel much more confident on the boat, and am willing to learn more.”About offshore sprints and sleep deprivation:“I’m happy offshore, that’s where I like to be so I’ll tackle this race with a lot of enthusiasm. Last year I made the mistake of thinking ‘it’s only 2 and a half days at sea, I’m not going to sleep at all’, and as a result I fell asleep at the wrong time as exhaustion kicked in. I’ve done a lot of work this winter to get to know my sleep patterns better, so this time around I will take 10-minute naps when necessary and convenient - without feeling guilty about it! Being less stressed will help that too - last year I wanted to see everything, control everything, but the experiments we carried out in La Grande Motte, staying awake for 36 hours whilst dealing with a complicated race course, proved how much lucidity you lose without even realising it.”About the Solitaire as a summer camp:“Yes, it’s a bit of a travelling circus, it’s a one month adventure. I enjoy it, I’m looking forward to that atmosphere, the intense racing and the fun times ashore when everyone replays the race and everyone’s strategies unfold. Having been part of the CEM this winter, I also feel part of a group, as we share resources, work together and get along very well. I’m genuinely pleased to go out there and immerse myself in that busy period.” 2010-07-20T10:31:14+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/the_academy_fleet_hits_the_water/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/the_academy_fleet_hits_the_water/#When:13:39:04Z The four Artemis Offshore Academy Figaro monohulls were launched on Monday, and as technical team member Rhys Mellor puts it, “If it wasn’t for the different numbers on the bows, there would be no way to tell them apart”... The four Artemis Offshore Academy Figaro monohulls have been launched on Monday, and as technical team member Rhys Mellor puts it, “If it wasn’t for the different numbers on the bows, there would be no way to tell them apart.”The Figaro - Bénéteau II circuit is a One-Design class, meaning that all the boats are strictly identical - which explains why getting four indifferentiable Artemis Offshore Academy monohulls to roll out of the shed was essential. “We acquired boats that all had different states of preparation and maintenance. Let’s just say that some had been more looked after than others”, says Rhys, “and we stripped all of them bare to start from scratch.” The deck hardware was removed, as well as the rigging and the engines, and no nut or bolt escaped the team’s scrutiny. The extensive refit of each boat was carried out with two objectives in mind: to re-launch a 100% race-ready fleet, and to ensure up-and-coming skippers could train on any boat without noticing any difference, hence guaranteeing a high quality training, independent of any hardware-related performance ups and downs. Technically-speaking, the Figaro Bénéteau II is a reasonably simple machine, making the team’s work quite straightforward: “I guess the biggest challenge for everyone was to make sure we brought all four boats to the exact same degree of readiness, and even though the job lists were quite long there were no tricky aspects to them”, adds Rhys - an expert prototype boatbuilder by trade - as he handles one of the four instruments consoles to be fitted on the masts. All the standing rigging has been replaced, and Artemis Ocean Racing’s Gareth Rowley has been busy handcrafting the running rigging of each boat - quite a task considering those racers have a wide range of fine-tuning devices involving numerous blocks and intricate rope arrangements - there again, ‘identical’ was the key word. “Everything has been done on schedule so we’re pretty happy with the way the whole process was handled by the team”, concludes Rhys. Refit Manager Charlie Carter gave us an account of the actual launch operations, which took place on Monday 5th of July: “The boats have been rolled out of the shed one by one, and taken to the Venture Quays slipway in East Cowes, where the masts have been stepped starting from midday. During that phase the tide was coming in, and by the end of the afternoon we’ve been able to crane the Figaros into the water. We’ve all worked intensively since they entered the shed seven weeks ago, and the launch has been a rewarding moment for the team.” 2010-07-07T13:39:04+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/artemis_investment_management_continues_commitment_to_british_sailing/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/artemis_investment_management_continues_commitment_to_british_sailing/#When:14:28:03Z Artemis Investment Management today announced their continued support of British sailing in 2010 across all levels from grass roots to fully professional ocean racing… Artemis Investment Management today announced their continued support of British sailing in 2010 across all levels from grass roots to fully professional ocean racing. This new commitment establishes Artemis as one of the longest and most significant existing supporters of British sailing.Artemis Offshore Academy: Artemis will support a UK training programme of excellence for British short-handed sailors, providing a structure to bring talented sailors up through the ranks. Designed to help them win major offshore solo and short-handed races in the future, the ultimate goal is to put a British sailor in a strong position to win the Vendée Globe in 2016 or 2020. Artemis will continue their support of solo offshore sailor Jonny Malbon for this season and the first intake into the Academy will be competing for a scholarship to undertake a Figaro campaign.Mini campaign: as part of the Academy programme, Artemis will provide a ‘race ready’ boat if an appropriate British sailor with proven potential is forthcoming to compete in this season.Cowes Week 2010: Artemis will support Britain’s best-known sailing regatta this year in a partnership that will see competitor entry fees remain at the same level as 2009. They will also continue their support of the Red Arrows display on the final Friday, a spectacle enjoyed by thousands on and off the water.Artemis Challenge 2010 confirmed: A successful event since 2007, and the only annual UK-based IMOCA race, the Artemis Challenge will feature an A-list of offshore racers and celebrities on 3rd August.IMOCA 60: After 4 years of IMOCA 60 racing, Artemis Ocean Racing’s IMOCA 60 will compete in races to benefit up and coming talent, as well as the Artemis Challenge, but will not compete in the major IMOCA events at the end of the year. The boat will go on the market by the Autumn. Since 2006 Artemis Ocean Racing has been active in the highly competitive IMOCA 60 class, competing in solo and double-handed races, building a radical new IMOCA 60 yacht, and entering the tough solo Vendée Globe non-stop round the world race. In addition to the sailing team, Artemis has also supported a number of IMOCA 60 events including The Artemis Transat 2008 and the annual Artemis Challenge, as well as supporting the Even Keel charitable project that utilises the Artemis 20 boat, designed for disabled sailors and used by Hilary Lister in her round Britain voyage. Artemis Investment Management will now continue to support a number of initiatives from the grass roots up to fully professional racing in 2010. The next phase will concentrate on a long-term commitment to British solo sailing talent, with the objective to propel young British offshore solo talent to the fore. Artemis Offshore Academy: Developing British Sailing TalentWith a long-term aspiration of putting a British sailor in a position to win the solo Vendée Globe in 2016 or 2020, the Artemis Offshore Academy is being formed to secure a pipeline of up-and-coming sailing talent. The Academy will provide a structure that can help all whose potential is yet to be fully realised.An Advisory Board has been established to oversee the creation of the Academy with the objective of defining the selection and training process. The Advisory Board will consist of 6-7 ‘industry’ non-executive directors including Rod Carr (ex-RYA Chairman); two leading current short-handed sailors; Gilles Chiorri (OC Events Director and former top Figaro sailor); Edward Gorman (former sailing correspondent, The Times, now Deputy Foreign Editor); and Mark Turner (OC Group CEO) who can provide the necessary guidance and expertise. The Advisory Board will also start the process of recruiting the best coaches and mentors for the programme having studied and experienced the French training schools in Port La Foret and Le Grande Motte where Jonny Malbon has been training all winter for this year’s Figaro season.“France are the benchmark nation in the single-handed ocean racing arena,” said Rod Carr. “In order to help move talented and determined British sailors from their current position to winning a race like the Vendée, we need to put in place a structured training programme that focuses the best advice in the world on a small group of talented sailors. Britain has the talent and technology to match France’s current domination in this field - what we lack is a coordinated, co-operative approach that supports a personalised training programme for every sailor in the squad.”The Artemis Offshore Academy will operate from a variety of bases to maximize the effectiveness of the training in British waters during the summer, including the Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy, and in the South of France, La Grande Motte, already an established French Figaro school, in the winter. Four Figaro One-Design boats have already been purchased and are being refitted at OC’s Cowes base.  The Academy will focus on three groups of sailors:•  Development Squad of 8-12 sailors training on the Figaro boats, developing skills and able to qualify for the ‘Scholarship’ programme in the Figaro Class or Mini. •  Associate Sailors who have managed to get funding for their own campaign, may own a Figaro themselves, but who would benefit from the Academy’s coaching programmes. •  Ambassador Sailors who are already competing on the international short-handed stage but can benefit from being part of a knowledge sharing and coordinated training programme and, ultimately, assist in the career development of the next generation of short-handed sailors. The aim is to have the first trainees on site from September with up to a dozen students training full-time and others on part-time or specific training modules. A selection process will take place twice a year in spring and autumn. Samantha Davies, who skippered AOR II in the 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre, commented: “I would say that my success in the last Vendée Globe was thanks to the ‘path’ I took to graduate into being an IMOCA 60 skipper. For me the Figaro is a compulsory step towards the Vendée Globe. What you learn in the Figaro is directly applied to your IMOCA 60. It is in this class that you learn the basics of top-level competitive solo-sailing, such as, auto-pilot management, sleep management, seamanship in storm conditions. In the Figaro Class solo racing is done at Olympic standard with respect to tactics, sail trim and rig tune, so if you are not training like an Olympic athlete you will not win! This is why a squad-system is the way forward. I benefited from the training with the Port La Foret squad as there was nothing available in the UK. The Academy will now be providing British short-handed sailors with the training base that we have been missing up until now.” 
A shorter-term outcome of the programme will be to get the Academy trainees competing on the Figaro and Mini circuit before moving on to Class 40 and IMOCA 60 racing which is the natural progression to the top of the solo world.For all media enquiries, please contact:Camilla GreenE: camilla@artemisoceanracing.comM: +44 (0)7970 746482For more information on the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, please visit http://www.wpnsa.org.uk For more information about joining the Artemis Offshore Academy, please email academy@artemisoceanracing.com Artemis Artemis is a dedicated investment management house, specialising in active equity management. Established in 1997, Artemis manages assets of £10bn (as at 31/05/2010) on behalf of both retail and institutional investors through a range of unit trusts and segregated portfolios. Artemis employs around 110 people, including 17 fund managers. It has a range of 11 retail unit trusts and four institutional unit trusts. Artemis believes in active management and has established a reputation for long-term investment performance in up as well as down markets. Artemis employs experienced people who have a flair and enthusiasm for fund management; it therefore attracts clients looking for above average returns.www.artemisonline.co.uk 2010-06-24T14:28:03+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/backing_british_sailing_2006-2009_what_next/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/backing_british_sailing_2006-2009_what_next/#When:14:10:23Z At the conclusion of their 4-year sponsorship of British offshore racing, Artemis will be announcing their new commitment to sailing on 24th June, 2010… Since 2006 Artemis Investment Management has supported British sailing across many levels.  The original Artemis Ocean Racing campaign launched in July 2006 centered around the IMOCA 60 offshore racing team. Competing in many of the highest-level of IMOCA races across the Atlantic, such as, the Route du Rhum (2006), Transat Jacques Vabre (2007 and 2009) and the Vendée Globe solo around the world (2008/09). With the launch of the new generation IMOCA 60 Artemis Ocean Racing II in 2008, this allowed the original IMOCA 60 boat to compete in selected races, such as the Rolex Fastnet Race (2009), ensuring up-and-coming sailing talent the chance to compete in this exciting class.  At the same time, Artemis extended their support to young British sailor Ollie Bond in the Mini Transat class.But it was not just the offshore sailing team that Artemis supported they also created the IMOCA 60 event ‘The Artemis Challenge’ in 2007, successfully repeating this high profile event in 2008 and 2009 during Cowes Week. As the only annual UK-based IMOCA race, it has attracted wide media coverage and benefited numerous charities.  In 2008, Artemis also became title partner to The Artemis Transat from the UK to the USA – the oldest solo race in history, first won by Sir Francis Chichester in 1960. Since 2006, Artemis joined forces with a new marine company building 20ft boats for disabled sailors known as Artemis 20s, as used by quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister in her courageous sail around Britain alone in which she completed in May 2009. Building on this concept the Even Keel project was born in 2008 with the Artemis 20s at the heart of the programme. From Dick Turpin, Managing Director, Artemis Fund Managers Ltd: “The last four years have been hugely rewarding on many levels. Britain has a great maritime history and many talented sailors - Artemis has been proud to be part of that.  At the end of our initial four-year sponsorship in the sport of sailing, we have reviewed how we will continue and look forward to announcing our plans for the future next week.”Find out more at 17h00 BST on the 24th June… 2010-06-11T14:10:23+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/artemis_figaro_in_championship_mode/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/artemis_figaro_in_championship_mode/#When:13:49:16Z The French National Singlehanded Offshore Championship* kicks off on Monday with the Solo Quiberon, and 35 of the best Figaro skippers will battle it out in South Brittany. The season had already started for Jonny Malbon though, since he took part in two pre-championship events: the Solo Concarneau and the cross-Channel Transmanche… The French National Singlehanded Offshore Championship* kicks off on Monday with the Solo Quiberon, and 35 of the best Figaro skippers will battle it out in South Brittany. The season had already started for Jonny Malbon though, since he took part in two pre-championship events: the Solo Concarneau and the cross-Channel Transmanche… As Jonny noted, this winter’s training paid off in terms of speed on the water: “My performance level has clearly gone up in all the domains I’ve worked on at the training Centre in La Grande Motte (FRA). It’s all the more clear when I realise that the area in which I’m still struggling a bit is the one we have not had the chance to tackle - namely broad reaching under spinnaker in more than 18 knots of breeze. So that’s where I need to focus from now on. The plan is to have Franck (note: Franck Citeau, head coach of the Grande Motte structure) sail on board with me during and after the Solo Quiberon. We will also use some video analysis, and compare that to some of the other boats in our training fleet. During the last few races I have been level with everyone, even the very good guys upwind, and have more often than not made big gains reaching with the spi, so if I can iron the problems that I am having, it will also build my confidence, and hopefully give a rounded package that I can put together.” * The 2010 Championship is made of three major events: • The Solo Quiberon, round the cans racing and coastal races, over one week. • The Solitaire du Figaro, offshore racing. France, Spain, Ireland. Total distance: 1717 nautical miles. • The Cap Istanbul, from France to Turkey via Sicily and Greece. Total distance: 1590 nautical miles.  2010-06-11T13:49:16+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/strong_international_line-up_for_the_artemis_challenge_2010/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/strong_international_line-up_for_the_artemis_challenge_2010/#When:09:12:57Z The fourth edition of the Artemis Challenge on Tuesday, 3rd August will see a strong international line-up for the annual IMOCA 60 round the island sprint and a star-studded list of celebrities who will be onboard the boats competing for the £10,000 charity prize fund. The fourth edition of the Artemis Challenge on Tuesday, 3rd August will see a strong international line-up for the annual IMOCA 60 round the island sprint and a star-studded list of celebrities who will be onboard the boats competing for the £10,000 charity prize fund.Flying the British flag will be Artemis Ocean Racing helmed by double Olympic medallist Simon Hiscocks. They will be joined on the start line by West Country sailor Steve White aboard Toe in the Water who impressively completed the last Vendee Globe against the odds. Sole female skipper Dee Caffari will take part in the Artemis Challenge aboard her Open 60, Gaes Centros Auditivos. Dee and her Spanish co-skipper, Anna Corbella, will be the only female crew taking part in the Barcelona World Race later this year. Up against the strong British contingent will be sailing legend Roland Jourdain on Veolia Environment who with over 20 years experience on the circuit, has gathered an impressive list of line honours. Arnaud Boissières skippering Akena Verandas makes the journey to Cowes for this event for the second year whilst Ryan Breymaier and Boris Herrmann, who will later this year compete in the Barcelona World Race, will join the fray aboard VE1 for the first time.  Challenge 2010-06-10T09:12:57+00:00 http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/training_in_sleep_deprivation_-_figaro_style/ http://www.artemisoceanracing.com/fr/site/training_in_sleep_deprivation_-_figaro_style/#When:16:10:29Z All winter Jonny Malbon has been Figaro training at La Grande Motte, working with some of the Figaro best coaches alongside many up and coming sailors who are looking to excel in this highly competitive class. Jonny has had his work cut out both on the water and off - read the full story to find out how sleep deprivation is just one of the many areas a solo sailor must master… Since my last little blog I have been very busy down here in the South of France.  We have been out almost ever day, and have been carrying out various different exercises including coastal races, inshore and speed tests - a great way to improve and look for the consistency that I need.  The previous training I had found quite difficult and never really seemed to get into my stride, but I am happy to say that I have been a lot more switched on this time.I have some elements that I really need to focus on now, the good thing is that I know what they are, and to improve those areas I need to practise - and then practice a lot more! This week has also involved some sleep training and analysis. We were subjected to several exercises that test the memory and reaction time.  After these tests had been completed and logged, we then left for a 36 hour race around the cans in the bay just outside La Grande Motte.  It was a very difficult (85 mile per lap) course with lots of mark roundings and manoeuvres.  The plan was not to sleep at all and then carry out the same tests again and see just how much the fatigue had affected our decision making processes, as well as reaction times.We left on Monday morning and by the time of the start it was blowing 25-30 knots!  Perfect conditions for a 36-hour sail! Anyway, off we went and after the upwind mark it was a tight reach to the next mark.  This meant spinnaker…  As I was preparing to hoist the chute, I kept one eye on the instruments as the true wind speed hit 38 knots.  This was a little daunting so I waited for a lull of about 32 and then popped the little spi.  Bang, I was off and hit just under 20 knots at one point - the boat and me were totally submerged for most of the leg as we hooned along!.  After a few hours of this, the wind had stayed at 30-35 and as the temperature dropped, so the decision was taken to call it off.  I have to say I was quite relieved as we headed back to the port just before dark.  The next day the weather had improved and we set out to do the same course once again.  The racing was very close and after 30-odd hours we were all close enough that one tiny mistake would cost a position. I finished the race without a single wink of sleep, just as the rest of the boys did.  I probably didn’t eat enough on the race but I was very happy with my hydration levels and how much water I had consumed.  We docked the boats and then got straight into the memory and reaction tests - clearly not as sharp as before! Then it was time for a good sleep! I managed to watch approximately 2 minutes of a DVD before I nodded off.Over the next week the results will be processed and we will find out the extent of how no sleep actually affects us individually.  I was certainly surprised at how tired I was.  Normally on a race like that I may have had two periods of 10 minute sleeps, when the conditions allowed, and even that tiny amount actually makes such a huge difference. Overall the last three weeks have been brilliant and, again, I have learned a huge amount.  I am thoroughly enjoying sailing down here and sailing the Figaros. Will be back next week after a good break. That’s all for now,

JonnyYou can read all of Jonny’s other blogs in the Team Blog section. 2010-02-28T16:10:29+00:00