MEDIA ADVISORY| PHOTO CALL | INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY
WHO: Twelve novice sailors with disabilities have been selected to crew in two races in the inaugural Artemis Even Keel Challenge @ Cowes Week. This special series commences on Sunday 1st August. Racing will take place off the Royal Yacht Squadron Line from approx. 1730hrs in six adaptable Simon Rogers-designed Artemis 20 keelboats.
On Monday 2nd August, the top three finalists from each of Sunday's races will be alongside their professional helms on Trinity Landing PREPARING FOR THE FINAL with the boats rigged and ready to muster on the Royal Yacht Squadron start line for the approx. 1730hrs start.
Steve White, Brian Thompson, Nick Rogers, Simon Clay, James Grant and Paralympian Andy Cassell are all confirmed as our professional skippers. The novices and their professional helms are available for interviews and photographs on Trinity Landing.
WHEN: Pre-Race Final on Monday 2nd August at 5pm & at the Prizegiving at 7pm.
WHERE: TRINITY LANDING, The Parade, Cowes & later at the Prizegiving at THE PIPER-HEIDSIECK BAR in Cowes Yacht Haven.
WHY: This fun and competitive new Race 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. The Artemis Even Keel Challenge has been put in place to help promote sailing as a 'sport for all' to Cowes Week's captive audience of sailors, media and spectators.
A message from Dave Rutter, Managing Director, The Even Keel Project
"In my opinion, Cowes Week is the best sailing event in the world and it is amazing to be able to offer 12 of our Even Keel Project sailors the opportunity to be able to take part in some racing. Quite a few members of our Artemis Even Keel Challenge teams have rarely, if ever, had the chance to go sailing and now, here they are racing during Cowes Week.
"The impact of The Even Keel Project has been amazing, from the instructors through to the sponsors, all going above and beyond to ensure the Project works at its best. A big thank you to all the pro sailors for going out of their way to help increase the profile of the project, especially having spent the majority of their day on the water already!
"I wish everybody the best of luck and hope to see some of the sailors progressing throughout the year. Who knows? We may have a few Paralympians in-the-making."
MEDIA ENQUIRIES (I'll be on site from 2pm on Sunday& all day Monday!)
Peta Stuart-Hunt
07711 477 707
