Brits raid the Archipelago
by Vikki Cheung 13 Aug 2009 18:19 BST
17-22 August 2009
The Archipelago Raid 2009 starts on Monday 17 August from Skogshem (Lidingö), Sweden in the unique and spectacular Scandinavian Archipelago. This is the third time for solo round the world sailor Conrad Humphreys and crewman Ryan Crawford. They were 4th in 2008, and will be looking for a podium position this year.
Included in the strong British contingent are:
- Route du Rhum winner Phil Sharp, who has entered with Slovenian Mini Transat sailor Kristian Hanjnsek.
- Matt Humphries and Luke Yeats on a new Hobie Wildcat; Luke has sailed around Britain in a Hobie Tiger and had to be dissuaded from sailing from the Solent to the Archipelago start in Sweden.
- Matt Eeles and Jamie Butterworth, who both have a wide sailing experience including the 2007 Archipelago Raid.
- David Scully and Claire Bailey, who are serial raiders.
- Alister Richardson and James Seamus Mc Hugh; Alister was the former helm in the Extreme 40 catamaran series.
- William Sunnucks and Simon Farren, who finished the 2008 edition of the Raid in third place; in 2004, William became the first overseas helmsman to win the raid, he knows however that in such a tricky event, past form is no guarantee of future success.
The Archipelago Raid is Europe's toughest adventure race with competitors having to navigate day and night through the 100,000 tiny islands. The event which is set in the stunning Archipelago region between Sweden and Finland attracts some of the world's top sailors and is a gruelling test of stamina and sleep deprivation.
Many of the teams will sail the event as champions for the Blue Climate and Oceans Project and ensure that they leave no trace during the 6 day event.
Speaking from Sweden Conrad said “It’s great to see so many Brits taking part in this year's raid. Hopefully one of us will challenge for the top spot.”
More information on the event website.