Russian adventurer-sailor Fedor Konyukhov is confirmed as the first competitor in the inaugral Antarctica Cup Yacht Race. Starting in December 2007, Fedor will attempt to sail his 27 metre (88 foot) boatAlye Parusaaround the challenging 14,500 mile course and in doing so to become the first ocean racing sailor to circumnavigate Antarctica.

Chairman of Antarctica Cup Management Bob Williams is confident that the event will be the first of many Antarctica Cups: ‘We welcome Fedor in his historic quest. Now that the Volvo Ocean Race has deleted the great Southern Ocean from their future events the Antarctica Cup Yacht Race offers blue water ocean sailors the supreme yachting challenge’, he said.

Commenting on his decision to select the Antarctica Cup Racetrack, Fedor Konyukhov said: ‘Sailing around Antarctica is one of the greatest challenges in offshore sailing. I have always treated the Southern Ocean leg as the most extraordinary, risky and beautiful part of any circumnavigation.’

Konyukhov is sponsored by the leading retail chain of supermarkets in Moscow “Trading Network Alye Parusa” (Scarlet Sails). TN Alye Parusa has been the main partner for several of Fedor Konyukhov’s offshore sailing record attempts including his single-handed round the world circumnavigation in 2005.

The event will be based out of an Australian port yet to be announced.

For more information see www.antarcticacup.com