Mike Golding OBE, Britain’s most successful solo offshore sailor, today announced a change of tack for the 2009 sailing season, during which he will be swapping one hull for two, competing with an Extreme 40 catamaran sponsored by his long time major sponsor Ecover.

Whilst the world is more used to seeing Mike Golding racing offshore, often alone with his IMOCA 60 yacht, this year he will be joined by a team of professional sailors to participate in the iShares Cup on an Ecover-sponsored Extreme 40 catamaran.

The iShares Cup is about bringing sailing right into city centres with high tech, fast and furious Extreme 40 catamarans racing on tight racecourses close to the shore, enabling, where possible, spectator viewing from the shore.

Each competing yacht is crewed by four pro sailors whilst one space onboard is reserved for a fifth man, normally a sponsor representative, client or journalist. Mike and his sailing team will compete against some of the world’s greatest sailors from a variety of disciplines within the sailing world. America’s Cup specialists, Olympians and World Record holders make up the most exciting and unusual sailor lineup of 2009.