Hello all,

Just a quick mail to let you know what’s been happening since the disappointment of Team Russia withdrawing from the Volvo Ocean Race at the end of 2008. It looks like in the short term at least, the teams financial problems aren’t something that are going to be resolved easily, so I enthusiastically embarked on a few weeks of recovery time from the rigours of the race. This mainly involved some great skiing and having a few drinks with old friends, many of whom I hadn’t seen since signing up with Team Russia at the beginning of last summer.

Anyway, unsurprisingly for most of you…. I’ve kept myself busy and have plenty of new plans on the go. Whilst watching the end of this year’s Vendee Globe (the solo non stop round the world race for Open 60s that is held ever four years, and has been my long term goal now since 2000), I’ve been working on ways of getting to the startline for 2012. Obviously the financial situation in the world means that things aren’t great for raising sponsorship at the moment but I will continue to work on this with moderated budgets and with some more ‘alternative’ ideas. The short term goal is to take part in the double handed Transat Jacques Vabre in November with one of the existing Open 60 teams. I competed in the Class 40 fleet in the last TJV and this is a logical step up. The reality is that this will also involve finding some funding to help put together a competitive package.

Right now I should be packing as tomorrow; I’m flying off for a two month stint working on a speed sailing project in Walvis Bay, Namibia. I am going to be joining the Vestas Sailrocket team www.sailrocket.com . This time I will be part of the shore crew (there is only one sailor onboard or perhaps tellingly he is known as the pilot!) Paul Larsen and his girlfriend Helena Darvelid have been working on this project for years and right now they are on the verge of becoming the outright world speed sailing record holders, which is for an average speed over a 500 metre course.

Rather than talking about it, the best thing is to check out probably their most spectacular video, which can be viewed on youtube here. It takes a while to download but is well worth it!!

Paul Larsen, the pilot, takes the Sailrocket on a record breaking run which culminated in the team taking the ‘B’ class world speed sailing record and becoming the world’s fastest sailing boat, their average speed only bettered by wind and kitesurfers. During the next run, which is also on the video, Paul’s stunning start ends in near catastrophe as Vestas Sailrocket literally takes off into the air Donald Campbell style. Thankfully both the pilot and Sailrocket are back in one piece and after waiting for a new weather window and optimisation, the team is ready to begin the next series of record runs this weekend.

Anyway I will keep you all posted on how this goes, take care and best wishes for the rest of the winter….

Cheers, Nick

Well no news yet but plans for 2008 are starting to shape up nicely. I’m current finishing raising the funds in order to charter a Class 40 for ‘The Artemis Transat’ in May. This famous solo race from Plymouth to Boston (USA), originated from the historic OSTAR and is Britain’s biggest solo race. More news to follow shortly! Check out www.theartemistransat.com for further information.