Photos by Lloyd Images Mark Lloyd - Pictures of Artemis Ocean Racing II being worked on by a team of boat builders during her refit at Saxon Wharf. Southampton
Artemis II IMOCA 60 refit – Gringo’s update:
"Artemis II is currently undergoing a refit at Saxon Wharf in Southampton, and is barely recognisable! We have brought in a great team of boat builders led by Paul Quinn to aid in our quest for a lighter boat. The key actions of the refit which we are undertaking have been decided from the results of the testing that was carried out in France alongside BT. Whilst being a well-built and strong boat, Artemis II is significantly above her fighting weight, and we need to do everything we can to close the gap in this refit. In particular this disability will hurt most in the Transat Jacques Vabre, which this year is a predominately light airs downwind race to Costa Rica.”
Technical Director, Neil Graham, summarises the current phase of work: “There were a number of positive points that came from the testing in particular in upwind conditions, but performance downwind is compromised by being overweight at present. Objective for this season, is to get as close to the performance of the leading division of new IMOCA 60’s as we can in the TJV, but without making changes to the major elements of rig and keel. However, we have embarked on studies in this areas for the project in 2010 should it continue after the TJV in November.”
Gringo continues on the detail of the work: “The main modifications underway in the refit are the removal of the entire steering system, and replacement with much lighter tiller arms. The Fleet 77 ‘dome’ satellite antenna needs removing and will be replaced with a smaller unit on the foredeck. The mainsheet track is to be reduced in length and the supporting structure removed. There are a million other jobs or modifications that are taking place, such as the relocation of the nav station, and full review of the electronics systems."
To read Gringo’s and Neil Graham’s technical report in full, go to www.artemisoceanracing.com
"Artemis II is currently undergoing a refit at Saxon Wharf in Southampton, and is barely recognisable! We have brought in a great team of boat builders led by Paul Quinn to aid in our quest for a lighter boat. The key actions of the refit which we are undertaking have been decided from the results of the testing that was carried out in France alongside BT. Whilst being a well-built and strong boat, Artemis II is significantly above her fighting weight, and we need to do everything we can to close the gap in this refit. In particular this disability will hurt most in the Transat Jacques Vabre, which this year is a predominately light airs downwind race to Costa Rica.”
Technical Director, Neil Graham, summarises the current phase of work: “There were a number of positive points that came from the testing in particular in upwind conditions, but performance downwind is compromised by being overweight at present. Objective for this season, is to get as close to the performance of the leading division of new IMOCA 60’s as we can in the TJV, but without making changes to the major elements of rig and keel. However, we have embarked on studies in this areas for the project in 2010 should it continue after the TJV in November.”
Gringo continues on the detail of the work: “The main modifications underway in the refit are the removal of the entire steering system, and replacement with much lighter tiller arms. The Fleet 77 ‘dome’ satellite antenna needs removing and will be replaced with a smaller unit on the foredeck. The mainsheet track is to be reduced in length and the supporting structure removed. There are a million other jobs or modifications that are taking place, such as the relocation of the nav station, and full review of the electronics systems."
To read Gringo’s and Neil Graham’s technical report in full, go to www.artemisoceanracing.com
