The Royal Ocean Racing Club confirmed this morning at 1100 BST that the IMOCA 60 Artemis Ocean Racing had claimed overall victory in the 2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. RORC Racing Manager, Ian Loffhagen announced: “Whilst there are still yachts racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, the unusual easterly winds are hampering progress to the finish. There is no real possibility of a competing yacht eclipsing the corrected time set by Artemis Ocean Racing. Therefore, Artemis Ocean Racing, can claim victory in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race overall under IRC, as well as the course record for an IMOCA 60. Congratulations to Jonny Malbon and his crew on Artemis Ocean Racing.”

Skipper Jonny Malbon and the crew of Artemis Ocean Racing (Graham Tourell, Gareth Rowley, Mikey Ferguson and Simon Hiscocks) have real cause for celebration having not only claimed an IRC class win, the IMOCA 60 race record but also overall IRC victory: “It’s been a pretty tense time since our finish as we have been waiting for the rest of the fleet to come in. The other boats, especially Ambersail and Tonnerre have done a great job of keeping the pressure on - right down to the wire.  We are really relieved to officially receive the news that it is now looking impossible for any of the remaining competing yachts to finish in time to claim overall victory,” said Jonny Malbon. “I can stop obsessing over the schedules, and calculating all the timings! It was a tough race in tough weather conditions, and we pushed the boat harder than ever, all the way round the course. It is a testament to the guys determination and competitive spirit to keep at full power the whole time. Gringo, Gareth and Mikey have done an awesome job in optimising and prepping the boat for the race, and Simon was a fantastic addition to the team. We are really chuffed. It’s a real boost for the sailing team, and the shore team who have given so much to this campaign. We are really proud of this result, and a massive thanks must go to Artemis for being so supportive.”

Artemis Ocean Racing crossed the finish line of the 1,802-mile race off Cowes, Isle of Wight on Monday, 30th August at 00h32’ 27” after 6 days, 10 hours, 32 minutes and 27 seconds at sea. It proved to be a grueling race, setting off in 30-35 knots of wind – the weather forecast was so daunting that the RORC made the decision to send the competitors anti-clockwise around Britain and Ireland rather than the tradition clockwise route.  The IMOCA 60 Artemis Ocean Racing have enjoyed a successful association with this race, as the team won the 2006 edition on the older generation Artemis Ocean Racing (known as Artemis I).

Visit the online Multimedia section for all the onboard videos and photos from the 2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.