All of the skippers and crews participating in the 2009 Artemis Challenge will be competing for a prize fund that will be donated to the winning team's charity of choice. Hugo Boss’s chosen charity is the Quayside Education Centre in Gosport which provides education for children who are at risk of permanent exclusion, are emotionally vulnerable or are too unwell to attend school. Alex has supported the work of the school over the past two years giving opportunities for those attending the centre to gain work experience at his company Alex Thomson Racing, along with days sailing onboard HUGO BOSS to teach the importance of team work.
“I’m really looking forward to being back racing in the Solent again. The Artemis Challenge is a great race to come back to, and as preparation for the Fastnet Race. I know the whole team will be giving their all to win the £10,000 prize fund for a centre that is very close to my heart; the Quayside Education Centre who desperately needs the funds to carry on their great work.”
Alex will be joined for the race by his brother David, another talented sailor who has just completed the Portimao Global Ocean Race in third place. Hugo Boss crew list for Artemis Challenge:
Alex Thomson
David Thomson
Ross Daniel
Rob Greenhalgh
Andrew Cape
Shaun Biddulph
Will Jackson
Ben Wood
The Artemis Challenge will start from the Royal Yacht Squadron line at 10am on Wednesday 5th August.
As we've already reported, Alex Thomson will be on the start line for the Artemis Challenge during Cowes Week on his newly re-fitted IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss. On Wednesday 5th August Hugo Boss will line up alongside some of its fellow IMOCA Open 60 boats including AVIVA, BT, Artemis Ocean Racing I and II, and Toe in the Water for a quick 55 mile dash around the Isle of Wight. The team will be use the event as a practice race for the Rolex Fastnet Race, along with trying to win the £10,000 charity fund for their chosen cause; the Quayside Education Centre in Gosport.
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