Dom Mee the British maritime explorer is this week competing at Antigua Sailing Week aboard the Russian Swan 48 Murka.

Mee, who earlier this year, rowed the Atlantic with his three-man crew – (Ed James, Tom Rendell and Pete Bird) all ex-Royal Marines completing the voyage in 37 days, missed breaking the record by just two days. Now back in Antigua sailing with the Russians for the fifth year he says he’s very happy to be back racing with his favourite team.

“This is my fifth year with the Misha and Olga Mouratov and the other Russians. We make a great team and sail the boat really well, to it’s full potential. It’s also a good chance for me to keep up my Russian language skills.”

In yesterday’s opening race Mee and the Russians sailed exceptionally well notching up their first win of the week beating Chippawa on corrected time. “We’ve always had good results with the 45 in Antigua. She just loves the conditions and rates well. Last time we sailed her here two year’s ago we won the class, ” added Mee.

Mouratov who’s based in Moscow, has a selection of boats based around the world including a Swan 45 in Cowes, UK, and a Dragon in Moscow. But because the Swan 48 does so well in the Caribbean he took the decision to base her in Antigua. Mouratov added: “Antigua is a great regatta, and we love to race here every year. Last year we brought over the Swan 45 but it didn’t performed as well here as the 48. So we now base the 48 in Cowes and do the European regattas from there. When I’m back home in Moscow I race my Petticrow Dragon.”

Mee who was looking forward to heading out to the racecourse this morning to strengthen their Racing class 111 lead added: “The wind’s up in the mid teens again today so we should have yet another exciting ride – just what the doctor ordered!”