BBC TV presenter, adventurer and Earthwatch ambassador, Paul Rose will join former ISAF World Sailor of the Year, Mike Sanderson and his crew onboard Team Pindar’s Open 60 yacht on Wednesday August 5, as they bid to defend the Artemis Challenge title during Cowes Week.

The prestigious race, a 55 nautical mile sprint round the Isle of Wight, has once again attracted an impressive fleet. The crew will be looking to break the existing Open 60 record winning time of 4 hours and 14 minutes, set by Brian Thompson and crew onboard the same Pindar yacht last year. Along with the coveted title, the winning crew will also receive a charitable £10,000 prize fund, which Team Pindar last year donated to Earthwatch.

Paul Rose is an avid explorer and presenter of the recent BBC ‘Oceans’ series. His work has taken him to some of the most challenging marine environments in the Arctic, the Red Sea, the Sea of Cortez and the Indian Ocean. He was the Base Commander of Rothera Research Station, Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey for 10 years and was awarded HM The Queen’s Polar Medal and the US Polar Medal for his work with NASA and the Mars Lander project on Mt Erebus, Antarctica. Between 1999 and 2002 he was Vice President and Chair of the Expeditions and Fieldwork Division at the Royal Geographical Society. He is also Ambassador to Team Pindar’s chosen charity Earthwatch, dedicated to funding environmental, research and education programmes worldwide.

Sailing enthusiast Paul, who will also compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race on board Polar Bear, commented, ‘The seas around the UK and the multitude of species that live in them are severely threatened by pollution, development and over-fishing. Earthwatch is carrying out vital scientific research here in the UK and around the world to help us understand and protect our precious oceans. By taking part in the Artemis Challenge and the Fastnet Yacht Race, I am not only fulfilling a personal ambition, but I also hope to raise awareness of Earthwatch’s vital research and generate support for their Oceans Appeal.’

Skipper Mike Sanderson will be joined onboard by Navigator Miranda Merron, Nick Bice, Jack Boutell, Halvard Mabire, Phil Harmer and Francis Tregaskis. A win on Wednesday for Pindar would be all the more memorable, as the radical Juan Kouyoumdjian designed Open 60 yacht is up for sale and enjoying its final regatta under the Team Pindar colours.  TEAMORIGIN Team Director Mike Sanderson, who was instrumental in the design of the boat, will showcase the Open 60 to potential buyers and sponsors during Cowes Week.