The Artemis Offshore Academy Development Squad would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and to thank you for your support and interest throughout 2010. We created a special Christmas scene for your enjoyment courtesy of ‘photoshop’! If we had known in advance about the Artic conditions the country is now experiencing, we could have done it for real!
2010 has been an exciting year with the launch of the Academy and the
first set of trials to select the inaugural Development Squad. Oliver
Bond (30), Nick Cherry (25), Sam Goodchild (20), Simon Hiscocks (37),
Nick Houchin (26), Nigel King (41), Becky Scott (24), Phil Sharp (29),
Oliver Young (22) and Associate Members Conrad Humphreys (37) and Pip
Hare (36) were selected on their merits during the trials and their
aspirations to succeed in the short-handed and solo sailing arena. The
squad began training at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing
Academy before heading to the Mediterranean waters of La Grande Motte in
the South of France a couple of weeks ago. This is to be the Squad’s
winter home for the Academy at the Centre d’Entrainement Méditerranée
(CEM) and although they’ve yet to experience any snow, the local effects
of the Mistral or the cold, northerly Tramontane can deliver some
equally Artic-like conditions!
“The CEM programme is designed to
provide all the essential elements needed by solo sailors,” explained
John Thorn, Performance Director of the Artemis Offshore Academy. “It
will start with inshore training, boat handling, sail and rig set-ups
for speed, meteorology and routing.”
Running alongside this the
Squad will undergo a physical, physiotherapy, and psychology assessment
programme. This is intended to not only improve physical fitness and to
withstand the physical rigors of long distance sailing, but also to help
deal with the psychological needs of sailing solo and managing sleep
deprivation.
Looking ahead John commented: “Alongside the
training programme, there is a full race programme in 2011 including the
scholarship to compete in a full season of Figaro racing. One squad
member will be selected for the scholarship and they will go on to
compete in the Figaro race boat with full support to take on the
demanding Solitaire du Figaro and other solo Figaro events. Whilst
other members of the Squad will take part in a mixed competition
programme in the other four Figaro training boats, including some
double-handed races and other Figaro races in and around northern
France. The culmination of this will be the Tour de Bretagne in
September.”
As the competition for scholarship heats up, Sam
Goodchild, who is currently sailing back from Jamaica two-up on a Class
40 boat, said: “Winning the scholarship is my goal. To be able to do a
whole Figaro season racing against the very best sailors would be the
ultimate start to learn how tough the competition is and how important
it is to manage yourself properly.”
Development
Squad member Becky Scott is looking forward to an exciting 2011 racing
the Artemis Mini on the Classe Mini circuit. This will allow her to
develop vital offshore solo sailing skills in a competitive class with
the support and coaching of the Artemis Offshore Academy.
The Artemis Offshore Academy and Development Squad would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Follow
the Development Squad’s latest adventures in 2011 online with regular
blogs and updates from the Squad, photos and video. You will also be
able to follow via Facebook and Twitter in 2011.
