1 August 2008
HQ 067 2008
Cowes Week Artemis Challenge yacht ‘Spirit of
Weymouth’ and celebrity crew to support the
RNLI
The Dorset based Open 60 yacht Spirit of Weymouth competing in the Artemis
Challenge – a 50 nautical mile sprint around the Isle of Wight as part of Cowes
Week regatta – has picked the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as its
chosen charity.
The RNLI could benefit from a donation of £10,000 if Spirit of Weymouth crosses the
finish line first in the second Artemis Challenge race on Tuesday 5 August. A total of
eight ocean racing Open 60 yachts will be competing in the race, each one
accompanied by a celebrity from the world of sport, politics and television.
Skipper of Spirit of Weymouth, Steve White, will be accompanied by TV celebrity
Johnny Ball, Sky Sports News presenter Simon Thomas and a crew of thirteen.
Skipper Steve and his wife Kim have already helped to raise £1,000 for the RNLI by
providing one of the Artemis Challenge crew places on Spirit of Weymouth as a raffle
prize at Weymouth Lifeboat Week (21–27 July).
Steve White, who only discovered his passion for sailing ten years ago, is now busy
preparing to set off on the solo Vendee Globe yacht race on 9 November 2008. The
Vendee Globe is the most gruelling round the world yacht race because it is non-stop
and single-handed.
Commenting on his participation in the Artemis Challenge Steve White says:
‘I have decided to raise funds for the RNLI not only because of my strong affinity with
the sea but because I believe their volunteer lifeboat crews provide a vital rescue
service that relies on public donations. I’m no stranger to fundraising because since
launching my campaign for the 2008 Vendée Globe I’ve been working hard to secure
sponsors. We’ve already raised £1,000 for the RNLI and although Spirit of
Weymouth is not the favourite boat to win the Artemis Challenge we’ll certainly be
racing hard on the day.’
Simon Hawkins Helmsman of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat station on the Isle of Wight
in Cowes says:
‘We wish Spirit of Weymouth and her crew a safe and successful race on Tuesday
and indeed all competitors during Cowes Week 2008. We hope all the sailors will
make a donation to our charity to help keep our lifeboats afloat.’
ENDS
Notes to editors
 The Artemis Challenge takes place on Tuesday 5 August as part of Cowes Week
 The race is a 50 nautical mile sprint around the Isle of Wight starting off Cowes
 The Royal National Lifeboat Institution took over management of the former Cowes
Inshore Lifeboat service, following a direct request to the charity from the trustees of
the independent lifeboat service, with effect from 1 July 2008
 With the addition of Cowes, the charity that saves lives at sea has increased the total
number of RNLI lifeboat stations on the Isle of Wight to three – Bembridge, Yarmouth
and Cowes
 A relief B-class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat is stationed at Cowes
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Katie Wilton, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202
336789 or kwilton@rnli.org.uk / pressoffice@rnli.org.uk
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other
media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the
RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue
service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over
230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches
around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on
voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded
in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity
registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.