Team SCA confirms UK racing program

by Team SCA 6 Aug 2015 18:30 BST 6 August 2015

VO65, Team SCA (SWE) at the start of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race © Rick Tomlinson / RORC

Team SCA, the only all-female team to compete in the last edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, will once again return to competitive racing and take part in the iconic Rolex Fastnet Race in August.

Prior to that the team will compete in the Artemis Challenge, a ProAm-style race around the Isle of Wight, UK. This is due to take place on August 13, 2015.

Ten members of the original round the world squad will be back onboard to continue the momentum created by the team in the Round the World Race.

"It is important that we continue more or less where we left off in Gothenburg in June. Most of us have been racing in the interim but this will be the first time that we will are back together as a group," comments Carolijn Brouwer (NED) who will be skipper for both races.

"We have a solid squad of talented sailors and our aim is to keep on training so that, if we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to race around the world again, we will 'hit the ground running'. There are not many opportunities for us to race as an all-female team, so to be able to line up in both the Artemis Challenge and the Fastnet Race will allow us to continue to learn and develop," adds Brouwer.

Continuing to develop their competence levels is high on the list for the team and to that end, Aksel Magdahl and Martin Stromberg will join as coaches for both races. Aksel will be working with navigator Libby Greenhalgh to continue to develop the learnings in the navigational area, while Stromberg, an ex Team SCA coach, will again be able to bring his valuable experience from the Volvo Ocean Race.

"To be able to sail competitively with Aksel and Martin onboard is something that we are all very much looking forward to. Team SCA is all about moving forward and continuing to build on what we started three years ago. Our aim has always been to be able to compete at the highest level of our sport, so the experience and knowledge that they will bring while we are racing is second to none," concludes Brouwer.

Team SCA will be sailing their Volvo Ocean 65 to the UK from Sweden in early August and will be based in Endeavour Quay, Gosport, UK.

The Artemis Challenge is on Thursday August 13, while the 608-mile Fastnet Race is due to start on Sunday August 16.

Team SCA Crew – Artemis Challenge and Rolex Fastnet Race:

Sally Barkow (USA)
Carolijn Brouwer (NED) Skipper & Watch Captain
Dee Caffari (GBR) Watch Captain
Sophie Ciszek (AUS)
Abby Ehler (GBR)
Libby Greenhalgh (GBR) Navigator
Sara Hastreiter (USA)
Stacey Jackson (AUS)
Annie Lush (GBR)
Liz Wardley (AUS)
Aksel Magdahl (NOR) Coach
Martin Stromberg (SWE) Coach

With the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race now concluded, Team SCA reflects back at the Race saw them pushing themselves to beat the clock and make themselves as competitive as possible. It's time to get back racing.