On the boat’s maiden sail, Artemis Racing got hull #2, “Big Blue,” up on its foils in winds as strong as 15 knots—a dramatic statement from the team that has been in crisis mode ever since the May 9 capsize of its first boat took the life of strategist Andrew “Bart” Simpson.
“Today could not have gone any better. It was a perfect day and exactly what our team needed,” said helmsman Nathan Outteridge. “We got the boat on the water and foiling, and we’re happy with how it was foiling… It’s a massive tribute to all the guys who have been working so hard to get us back out there.”
Despite the fast start, Artemis says there is still a lot to learn and test before the team is ready to join Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand on the racecourse.
The Swedish team has marked the first day of the Louis Vuitton Cup semi finals, August 6, as its target date for racing. It says any participation in one of the final Round Robin races would be an unexpected bonus.
“We’d like to hope August 6 is achievable,” Outteridge said. “But we know how much work is ahead of us now and we don’t have a lot of time. This was day one for us while the other teams are on day 70 or 80, so we know we’re a long way behind, but today was a big day in terms of catching up. Each step will evolve and we’ll try to keep moving as fast as we can.”
Thursday, Artemis Racing is scheduled to race against Luna Rossa, with the Italian team expected to sail the race unopposed. Artemis Racing will inspect its boat overnight and make adjustments before deciding whether it resumes sailing tomorrow.
