FIRST RACE AND FIRST WIN FOR ESTRELLA DAMM IN THE ARTEMIS CHALLENGE
Today has been a satisfactory day for the Estrella Damm Sailing Team. As part of their preparation and training, Spanish skipper Guillermo Altadill and American co-skipper Jonathan McKee have taken the start this morning of their very first race together, the Artemis Challenge.
Part of Skandia Cowes week, the race saw a fleet of seven IMOCA Open 60 head for the start line as Dame Ellen Mac Arthur shot the gun at 10 o’clock from the Royal Yacht Squadron. Each boat was racing for a charity and Estrella Damm was competing for Africa Viva, a charity based in Barcelona and working on development programmes in Burkina Faso in Western Africa.
Estrella Damm sailing in the Artemis Challenge - 8th August 2007
© Mark Lloyd
With a crew of seven including Brian Thompson, Nick Moloney and England rugbyman Will Greenwood MBE, Estrella Damm took thelead early on and kept her position firmly until the finish line was crossed. Over the pone during the race, Will Greenwood reported: “I have been the winch man which is unbelievably hard but it has been amazing!”
The Artemis Challenge has been raced in mild weather conditions but has unfortunately seen the dismasting of fellow competitor Mike Sanderson onboard his brand new Pindar early on in the course.
At the prize giving ceremony, Will Greenwood delivered his comments about his first sail ever: “In terms of physical endurance, it was as tough a session as I have done for a long time. We took the lead, nearly messed it up but we were determined, everyone pulled their weight and we have won a great trophy and donated a lot of Money to charity.”
Jonathan McKee thanked Artemis for a great event as well as his team for their hard work over the past few weeks, followed by Guillermo Altadill’s summary of the race: “It was a great day for us but we are sorry for Mike and the Pindar crew. We made a small mistake just before the Needles and were having a good race with Pindar before the accident. The race was a good and intensive race with lots of sail changes. Will did a good job on the winch and got to see how tough this sport really is. It is a great race to win and we are pleased to give the money to Africa Viva where it will go to people who need it far more than us.”
For further information about Africa Viva, please visit http://www.africaviva.org/
Final podium:
Estrella Damm – Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee
Roxy – Samantha Davies
Akena Vérandas – Arnaud Boissières