The traditional bottle of champagne was smashed over the hull of the boat, which Jonny Malbon will be sailing in the Vendée Globe in just seven months time. The Artemis skipper was joined by friends, family and supporters, as well as Artemis Investment Management CEO Mark Tyndall. The first reaction from the yachtsman on board his new monohull, « It is a great day to see this beautiful craft in the water. There has been so much planning and development in the design and build of this yacht over the last two years. It is a great day for everyone involved in the Artemis Ocean Racing project and I can´t wait to get out onto the seas and she what she is capable of." The CEO, Mark Tyndall stressed the British aspect of the project. “Artemis Investment Management is delighted to support Artemis Ocean Racing Team and Jonny Malbon, in this next stage of our partnership. We are going forward as a British company, backing a British skipper in a new, British designed and built boat. In Jonny we have an excellent ambassador, whom we are sure will acquit himself extremely well, as he takes on some formidable new challenges.»
Indeed, Artemis Ocean Racing II will be the only British designed and built IMOCA Open 60 and it will be a British shorecrew taking care of her. Last week, in accordance with seafaring tradition to bring a vessel good luck, the mast was stepped on top of a coin and in order to respect the boat’s characteristics, a 2008 British Gold Sovereign was acquired by Artemis for the occasion.