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Artemis Ocean Racing II, skippered by British solo sailor Jonny Malbon, has today completed the qualification requirements for the Vendée Globe 2008, the epic round the world yacht race that starts in November.

The cutting edge IMOCA Open 60, launched in April, is now aiming to line up alongside a world class fleet including six other British boats in the blue riband event of offshore solo sailing.

Malbon, who set off solo from Plymouth on August 14th, has now effectively completed a double transatlantic crossing that has taken him north of 52N and west of 50W, before returning to British waters and passing 5W.

The trip involved sailing from the coast of Cornwall, passing an imaginary line off the west coast of Ireland to a point near the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and then back again.

The experienced yachtsman has covered over 4,000 miles of singlehanded sailing onboard Artemis Ocean Racing II in this latestoffshore trip, taking his total tally of offshore solo miles this summer to 6,000.

Malbon commented: "It has taken months of hard work to get here, but I am delighted to finally get our qualification requirements for Artemis Ocean Racing II completed.

"Since we launched the boat in April we have had a number of hurdles to clear, and I would really like to thank my team for working so tirelessly over the last months to achieve this important milestone.

"Although I will race alone in the Vendée Globe, none of this would be possible without the professional and committed team around me.

"Getting to the start line of the Vendée Globe was our shared goal and I didn't intend to let them down.

"However, this really is just the beginning.

"There is a huge amount to do to get ready for the race itself, but the good news is that the boat proved her resilience and power in a wide range of conditions, including 50knot winds and mountainous seas and I am beginning to understand how to get the best out of her.

"I am looking forward to what comes next and focusing on some crewed trials where we will really learn how to push the boat. After that phase, comes the real deal, the start - roll on the 9th of November."

The boat, sponsored by Artemis Investment Management, one of the UK's leading investment management companies, is the only all-British designed, built and sponsored project on the IMOCA circuit.

"The boat has been two years in the planning, design and build and despite some technical setbacks the team has worked around the clock to get Jonny out to sea to qualify.

"The team will now be focusing on further training, testing and small modifications to ensure that both skipper and boat are in optimum condition for the 24,000 mile marathon around the globe.

Artemis Investment Management CEO Mark Tyndall commented: "It has been a testing road for Jonny and the team but we are delighted that he has completed the necessary qualification passage to be on the start line of the Vendée Globe.

"In any sport at elite level there will be hard times but the sign of a good team is how well you overcome these, rise to the challenge and move on.

"We are looking forward to watching his progress over the coming months and doing whatever we can to help him be in the best position to compete in this formidable race."

10:32am Thursday 4th September 2008

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