There’ll be a star line-up at the start of the Formula 18 Archipelago Raid in Stockholm tomorrow including Ellen MacArthur and Nick Moloney in a Hobie18, and Neal and Lisa McDonald.

A total of 14 teams are taking part in the four-day Archipelago Raid which starts at Gustavsberg outside Stockholm and takes in the vast archipelagos of Stockholm and Åland – totaling 400/500 nautical miles depending on the weather.

MacArthur, who is in Scandinavia for the first time commented: “We have less experience than most of the other teams and our goal is simply to finish! We have never been in these archipelagos and neither of us have sailed 18ft catamarans before.”

Last year competitors had to cope with extreme conditions which provided the toughest of challenges even for the most experienced sailors. Neal McDonald who finished third at that event added: “The days are long, the competition is tight, the seascape can be tough and conditions are often extreme.”

One of the winners from last year’s race, Magnus Woxén, will defend his position together with New Zealander Rodney Ardern, as Woxén’s crewmate from last year Klabbe Nylöf is ill. Ardern is unfamiliar with the small catamarans but has a vast experience of big boat sailing: three round the world races and four America’s Cup, latest as crew on the winning team Alinghi.

Teams

Omega Ellen MacArthur (UK) and Nick Moloney (AUS)

ASSA ABLOY Neal McDonald (GB) and Lisa McDonald (USA) – 3rd 2002

Sogeti Rodney Ardern (NZ) and Magnus Woxén (SWE) – Woxén 1st 2002 with Klas Nylöf

Jobman Workwear Björn Hansen (Åland) and Björn Österberg (SWE)

Playground Petter Åström (SWE) and Jonas Engstedt (SWE)

Nokia / Adilstam Fredrik Adilstam (SWE) and Tomas Marimon (SWE) – 2nd 2002

Macfreeze Anders Tengbom (SWE) and Fred Wikström (SWE)

Addicom Mikael Leksell (SWE) and Pontus Johansson (SWE)

Tidermans Anders Lewander (SWE) and Calle Hennix (SWE)

Nokia / Kempff Joakim Kempff (SWE) and Magnus Nordström (SWE)

Realsailing Fredrik Hansen (SWE) and Christopher Ringhagen (USA/SWE)

GB Glace Bengt Jacobson (SWE) and Jan Schiratzki (SWE)

Suunto Stefan Engstrand (SWE) and Björn Scherrer (S)

Nynäs Havsbad Thomas Östergren (S) and Tore Lewander (S)