Brian Thompson produces a convincing win on Pindar (2008)14th Jul 2011

Team Pindar won the 2008 Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week, returning to competitive sailing in spectacular style.  In addition to winning the coveted trophy, Pindar will donate the £10,000 prize fund to Earthwatch.

Despite some challenging conditions during the race, including gusts of up to 20 knots, Team Pindar lead from the outset and completed the race in 4 hours, 13 mins, 48 secs. Skippered by Vendée Globe entrant, Brian Thompson, the Pindar Open 60 won the race comfortably, finishing five minutes ahead of second placed BT and almost 10 minutes ahead of Ecover in third place.

The Artemis Challenge fleet © Lloyd Images
 

The Juan Kouyoumdjian-designed Pindar once again proved she's got pace, especially in the experienced hands of Brian Thompson. With a 'celebrity' crewing on each of the boats though, there's no doubt that having Mike Sanderson (Team Director for TEAMORIGIN) on board, won't have hampered Thompson's performance! Dee Caffari came in fifth, 16 minutes after Pindar, with the two Artemis Ocean Racing boats (Simon Clay pipped Jonny Malbon's new boat by five minutes) and Spirit of Weymouth bringing up the tail.

Sailors and celebrities on the podium © Lloyd Images

An elated Brian Thompson said, ‘It is an amazing feeling to have won our first race and vindicates all the hard work over the last year. The crew worked brilliantly together and I think they all enjoyed seeing what the boat is capable of. We got off to a great start and knew once we passed The Needles we'd be in with a good chance of lifting the trophy. Winning this race will be a huge confidence boost for the whole team as we continue to prepare for the Vendée.'

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