The Artemis Offshore Academy is now officially open to applicants.  The Academy which was launched on 24th June as part of Artemis Investment Management’s recommitment to the sport of British sailing, provides a training programme of excellence for British short-handed sailors. The Academy is designed to help talented sailors win major offshore solo and short-handed races with the ultimate goal of putting a British sailor in a strong position to win the Vendée Globe in 2016 or 2020.

The first step for future solo sailing stars is to complete the online application form then, if chosen, they will participate in the Selection Trials to be held between 13th-26th September 2010 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.  The venue, which is the sailing host venue for the 2012 Olympics is one of the training facilities to be used by the Artemis Offshore Academy. A Development Squad of 8-12 members will be chosen at the end of the Selection Trials.

Read a special report in tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph sport section on the new Artemis Offshore Academy.

The Selection Trials process is expected to attract a diverse range of sailors with varying levels of experience and from different disciplines, whether it be Olympians, dinghy sailors or offshore racers.  Rod Carr, ex-CEO of the Royal Yachting Association and who heads up the Artemis Offshore Academy Advisory Board explains further: “In our initial exploratory round-table discussions about the Academy, it became clear that we needed to cast the net as wide as possible to ensure we channel the right talent into the Academy. Sailing solo or short-handed is a specialist discipline that requires many skills – not just racing performance – and a lot of it comes down to the individuals passion and determination.  We want the door to be open to sailors from any discipline and the Selection Trial process will filter out those most capable and suited to short-handed offshore racing.”

Since the launch in June, with support from the sailing industry, the Academy has been inundated with emails. Double Olympic 49er medalist, Simon Hiscocks, was one of the first to express an interest: “I’d always followed the single-handed offshore sailing scene and have some kind of strange allure to it. But I had no idea how to make that jump from Olympic dinghy sailing to this discipline – it seemed to me you needed a sponsor and a boat, and they are way out of the price range of what I could afford or get involved with. But now the Artemis Offshore Academy has made that opportunity more realistic. Young British sailors will now see a pathway… They go through a very successful youth training programme to a very successful Olympic programme but not everybody makes it in the Olympics and there is a lot of very talented sailors who now have a pathway to potentially breakthrough into the big world of the single-handed offshore sailing.”

Watch the latest video interview of Simon Hiscocks speaking about the Artemis Offshore Academy HERE

The Artemis Offshore Academy is also open to Associate Sailors who have managed to get funding for their own campaign but who would benefit from the Academy’s coaching programmes. As well as Ambassador Sailors who are already competing on the international short-handed stage but who can benefit from being part of a knowledge sharing and coordinated training programme. Ultimately, these ‘professional’ sailors can assist in the career development of the next generation of short-handed sailors.

How to apply?

To apply for the first round of Selection Trials for the Artemis Offshore Academy Development Squad, the following criteria must be met:

• Applicants must hold a British passport, or be immediately eligible to apply for one
• Applicants must be over18 years of age at the time of application and be able to swim, physically fit and mentally tough
• Applicants must have performed with distinction in at least one of the following disciplines:
- dinghy racing
- offshore racing
- keelboat/sportboat racing
- long-distance sailing
• Applicants must be available to attend a 3-day selection process at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, taking place between 13th -26th of September 2010
• If selected for the Development Squad, applicants must be prepared to spend at least between 50-75% of their time at official squad training. This will also involve training on location at the CEM in La Grande Motte (South of France) during the period January to March 2011 period.

For further information about the Artemis Offshore Academy and to find the online Application Form, visit the Academy section.

Artemis Investment Management announced their continued support of British sailing in 2010 across all levels from grass roots to fully professional ocean racing. This new commitment establishes Artemis as one of the longest and most significant existing supporters of British sailing.

For all enquiries about the Artemis Offshore Academy, email:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Camilla Green
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M: +44 (0)7970 746482