Thanks to Rupert Holmes for the report and Graham Reading for the HD photos from today’s event. Ed
The Artemis Challenge also got underway successfully, starting on schedule at 1000. An hour later this fleet was slowly passing Yarmouth in the dying throes of the overnight north north-westerly breeze.
By this time the wind had already reversed direction at Hurst Castle and by 1130 the fleet was hooking into the early sea breeze here, which built over the next few minutes to a consistent six-nine knots from just west of south, with competitors accelerating to double digit speeds over the ground as they approached the Needles at the western end of the Isle of Wight.
Course shortened at Bembridge
Their course was eventually shortened at Bembridge, three-quarters of their way around their circumnavigation of the Island.
Lionel Lemonchois’ trimaran Prince de Bretagne took first place ahead of the MOD70 trimaran Oman Sail – Musandam.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Volvo Ocean 65 Azzam was the first monohull across the line, beating the two other VO65s and the IMOCA 60 Artemis Ocean Racing ll.
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Figaro lls
There was also a shorter race in the Solent today for the Artemis Offshore Academy’s fleet of Figaro lls. Rich Mason’s Artemis Figaro 77 took a commanding lead to finish almost 10 minutes ahead of GAC Pindar. However, the fight for second and third places was much closer, with Sam Matson’s Artemis Figaro 21 finishing just 68 seconds later in third place.
Images: © With kind permission of Graham Reading Photography
