Artemis!

Foiling, that is. Even Artemis! We’re glad to see them back at it, and now they provide the only real intrigue leading up to the actual Cup. All systems go? Photos thanks to Sander van der Borch / Artemis Racing.

Artemis Racing took its first test run in its new boat, dubbed "Big Blue," in winds as strong as 15 knots Wednesday. Helmsman Nathan Outteridge said it couldn't have gone better.

"It was a perfect day and exactly what our team needed," he said. "We got the boat on the water and foiling, and we're happy with how it was foiling."

He called the first sail "a massive tribute to all the guys who have been working so hard to get us back out there."

The Swedish team has been out of action while building its boat following a wreck May 9 that killed a crew member.
Artemis will miss its seventh scheduled race in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series Thursday, so Luna Rossa will sail unopposed. It is not known when the Swedish team will enter the regatta, but it probably won't happen until the semifinals start Aug. 6.

"We'd like to hope Aug. 6 is achievable," Outteridge said, "but we know how much work is ahead of us now, and we don't have a lot of time. This was Day 1 for us while the other teams are on Day 70 or 80."