Some of the best known British solo circumnavigators have agreed to take part in a mixed-ability mini-regatta during Cowes Week in August racing keelboats similar to that sailed by quadriplegic Hilary Lister.

Skippers Steve White and Brian Thompson have both agreed to helm competing Artemis 20’s, which will be crewed by novice sailors of varying ages and abilities.

Dee Caffari and Mike Golding may also race depending on their final sponsor commitments.

The Artemis Even Keel Challenge series kicks off on the evening of Sunday 1 August with 12 novice sailors and their UK Sailing Association skippers competing in two races off Princes Green, Cowes.

The race winners from Day 1 will then be joined by some of the leading names in sailing for what is set to be a highly competitive Pro-Am finale on Day 2.

Each celebrity sailor will guest helm on the final race.

The Artemis Even Keel Challenge has been put in place to help promote sailing as a ‘sport for all’ to Cowes Week’s massive audience of sailors, media and spectators. 

The individuals who will make up the initial 12 crew to compete at this exciting event are being chosen over the course of the next few weeks at the Even Keel Project’s UK base at UKSA through their recently launched ‘Try Sailing’ programme.

The mixed age sailors will be selected as much for their enthusiasm and desire to participate as for their sailing ability.

Speaking on behalf of The Even Keel Project, Managing Director Dave Rutter said, “Since the start of the Artemis Even Keel Project at UKSA, it has been both humbling and invigorating to see so many people sign up to use the project from such a wide range of disabilities and backgrounds many of whom had never sailed before. Watching them signing up for more sailing, having caught the bug, is simply fantastic. To now have the support of some of the world’s best sailors is quite simply adding icing on the cake.”

This new series is the brainchild of the Even Keel Project and its
partners UKSA and is being mounted with the full backing and support of
its primary sponsor Artemis Investment Management.