Class Mini announce their 2012 calendar - 15 races in 4 countries! 01 - 02 - 12 at 15:25:00

Class Mini have announced their 2012 race calendar with 15 races spanning four countries. You can view the calendar here.

Becky Scott will be training on the Academy Mini (Basecamp) in the UK on a Mini training programme supported by the Artemis Offshore Academy - more details to follow soon!

What’s it like sailing a Mini? 30 - 01 - 12 at 09:33:43

Have you ever wondered what it is like sailing a Mini? Artemis Offshore Academy Mini sailor explains all here.

Sam Goodchild and Nick Cherry report on their 1st day of Figaro training in Lorient this year 24 - 01 - 12 at 18:00:48

Sam reports from Lorient: “Today we had our first Training session of 2012. We have chosen to base ourselves in the Atlantic this year in the hope of getting some more training in similar conditions to the Solitiare du Figaro. For me it was the first time in a Figaro since the last event in September so, even though quite ‘rusty’ I now remember the addiction with this class and boat. The lessons learnt from every small mistake and the rewards for when things go well. Already starting to get excited about our busy season ahead.”

Nick comments on their successful day: “Training today was really productive, our group of seven includes Thomas Ruyant, who won the Route de Rhum in a class 40 last year and Adriend Hardy who has won Solitaire legs before and there is a nice relaxed feel to the briefings. We sailed out through the rocks after a warning, in French only, that had something to do with one of the channel markers being out of position and dangerous. Not knowing which one it was we stayed pretty close to the locals in the drizzley mist and didn’t hit anything. The sailing session was intense, focusing on which sail to use when tight reaching as this appears to be a big part of the solitaire. In the end the best sailors won the most runs, with coach Yann identifying the key elements of technique afterwards in the debrief. Time for a big dinner and an early night now!”

NIck Cherry & Sam Goodchild have their first day of training in Lorient with coach Yann Elies 24 - 01 - 12 at 09:17:53

Nick Cherry and Sam Goodchild start their first day of training with in Lorient today with Vendée Globe skipper Yann Elies coaching the Figaro solo sailors. The British Artemis Offshore Academy sailors will be training with the French Figaro sailors at the the Lorient Course Au Large training center.

Sam Goodchild & Nick Cherry relocate to Lorient for training. Read Nick’s blog… 23 - 01 - 12 at 16:07:14

Journey to the center of the earth? Although slightly tenuous I think the Jules Verne reference in the title is a little bit relevant to my recent trip to Lorient….Read Nick’s blog here.

Read the latest blogs from the squad here! 18 - 01 - 12 at 11:10:06

Long distance speed testing for the squad in La Grande Motte and Sam Goodchild and Nick Cherry deliver their boats to Lorient to start their 2012 training programmes. Read the blogs here.

Over 80 days of competition for the Artemis Offshore Academy Squad in 2012! 11 - 01 - 12 at 16:20:15

2012 is going to be a busy year for the Artemis Offshore Academy with over 80 days of short-handed racing between March and August.

In brief:
• The Artemis Offshore Academy announce their 2012 racing calendar with over 80 days of short-handed racing from March to August
• Nick Cherry and Sam Goodchild will race in the double-handed AG2R La Mondiale
• Up to three Artemis Offshore Academy solo sailors to compete in the Solitaire du Figaro including Sam Goodchild and Nick Cherry
• Becky Scott will be campaigning the Academy Mini for 2012 and the Les Sables - Azores - Les Sables

Read the full article here.

Read Sam Goodchild’s latest blog on winning leg 2 of the Global Ocean Race! 03 - 01 - 12 at 09:59:50

A fantastic finish to 2011 for Sam Goodchild as he won leg 2 of the double-handed Class 40 Global Ocean Race. Racing with Conrad Colman onboard Cessna Citation from Cape Town to Wellington on the 7,500nm mile leg through the notorious Southern Ocean.

“Finishing in Wellington in the pouring rain, 40+knots of breeze and the storm jib up, the overwhelming feeling was relief!” The most testing part of the leg was sailing into Wellington in strong winds and huge seas testing the tired duo to the max.