Professional skipper profiles

Artemis Even Keel Challenge - Monday 2nd August 2010.

The top three sailors from each race who progress to the finals on Monday 2nd August will compete for the inaugural Artemis Even Keel Challenge Trophy in what is set to be a highly competitive Pro-Am finale as  hotshot skippers guest helm in this inspirational event

Our Professional Skippers:

Nick Rogers, 33, Lymington
Nick won a Silver medal at the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games in the 470 class. Recognised as one of nicest guys on the circuit, Nick has recently decided to retire from the Olympics and focus on other areas of the sport.

Brian Thompson, 48, Cowes
Brian is a vastly experienced and successful offshore racer with more multihull sailing miles clocked up than any other Briton to date. He has been racing speed machines for more than fifteen years as either skipper or watch captain and has notched up over twenty sailing records.

Steve White, Weymouth
Steve White's trajectory up the British solo sailing ladder began, like many things do, with a flash of inspiration whilst on a sailing trip. It was after a sail from Plymouth around the infamous Fastnet Rock that Steve felt an almost primeval pull and knew instantly that he had found his calling. White Ocean racing owns the Open 60 racing yacht currently called 'Toe in the Water' in which Steve circumnavigated the world in the last Vendée Globe race, which is the most extreme race in the sailing arena; 27,000 miles alone, non stop and with no outside assistance. Now with the next Vendée Globe in 2012 firmly in their sights, White Ocean Racing is searching for sponsors to join the team during their race programme leading up to and including the Vendée Globe. Steve's latest project this winter (2010-11) is to take on sailing's toughest challenge of sailing westabout non-stop and alone around the World.

Simon 'Lovely' Clay, Southampton
Simon, better known as 'Lovely' in the sailing world, has been sailing as long as he can remember, starting on dinghies and cruising with family. While studying economics and politics at university most reading weeks were devoted to obtaining the RYA certificates which eventually led to a career as a professional sailor. He now forms an integral part of the Artemis Ocean Racing Team.

James Grant
During a lifetime of sailing james has been involved in many high profile events, as a sailor, coach & team manager.  Starting out in dinghies at local sailing clubs and progressing through the industry to achieve a solid reputation as an asset to any boats team, James as part of the extreme 40 team Basilica claimed glory in 2007 winning the ishares cup.

Andy Cassell, Cowes
Andy Cassell was born without legs and hip joints but this has not stopped him becoming a top racing sailor with a career spanning 50 years. For most of his career he didn't even sail as a disabled sailor but as the Paralympic sailing movement grew Andy was asked to compete in the 1994 Worlds and 1995 European Disabled Sailing Championships.  He came home from the Paralympics in Atlanta with the Gold medal and the three-man team had the honour of being awarded 'Yachtsmen of the Year' by the Yachting Journalists' Association in 1997. He went on to set up the Andrew Cassell Foundation to encourage other disabled yachtsmen and women to compete on the water.
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Peta Stuart-Hunt | PR Works
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