Katie Miller has chosen Crusader Sails to provide her racing sails for ‘Hot Socks’ in preparation for the OSTAR in 2009.



Katie has been campaigning her Figaro II this season in preparation for the challenging transatlantic she has set her sights on. Her sailing exploits were first recognised when she was awarded the YJA Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year Award in 2006 for her solo circumnavigation of the country. Crusader Sails also supplied sails, furling gear, rigging and expert technical advice for “Elektra”, the Corribee Katie sailed around Britain.

This year Katie went on to win the bluQube 1000 solo race, her first major offshore event, and in doing so qualified for the OSTAR. She is currently the only female entrant, and youngest lady to ever compete.

Katie said, “I am thrilled that Crusader have agreed to support our OSTAR project. It’s a relief to know that we will have such high quality sails for the race, made right here on the South coast. I can’t wait to get them onboard.”

Paul Lees of Crusader Sails, commented, “We are pleased to continue our long association with the OSTAR and we are delighted that Katie has chosen our sails for such an important event. ”

In her role as a Raymarine Ambassador, Katie performed the naming ceremony for Raymarine's new test boat, 'Raymariner'. The boat is a Commodore 42 by Hardy Marine and will be used year-round to test new and prototype products under demanding and variable sea conditions.



Katie said "Raymarine have supported me from the very beginning when I sailed solo around Britain in my 21ft Corribee. As I head off across the Atlantic in the OSTAR race next year it's reassuring to know that all the Raymarine equipment fitted to my latest boat, 'Hot Socks', has been tested to the extreme to ensure its reliability."

Katie said, “I am thrilled that Southampton Solent University, my university, have decided to support the project. It’s fantastic that they have chosen to support one of their own. I can tell you that it is highly motivating to have your university involved while studying for a degree, and I am anticipating a good performance in my studies and my career, which is exactly what Southampton Solent are all about. I know that their support and enthusiasm will ensure Hot Socks and I are in a condition to achieve at the start of the OSTAR next year.”

Katie was involved with the official launch of the OSTAR on the first day of the PSP Southampton Boat Show. Katie stood alongside sailing legends Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Pete Goss and Mike Golding, as well as previous OSTAR competitors.



As Pete Goss and Mike Golding reminisced about their own OSTAR experiences and how important they were in getting then to their positions today, Katie spoke of her enthusiasm to start the race next year and the opportunity to join the sailing elite who have completed the gruelling race before.

David Southwood, Race Director, announced with some pride that while 3,000 people have reached the top of Mount Everest, only 400 have sailed solo across the Atlantic, emphasising the challenge of the event and the determination and courage it will take to complete.

“Hot Socks”, KMY Racing’s Figaro II, will be on display in Feature Berth 63 for the duration of the PSP Southampton Boat Show, as will Katie in her role as Ambassador to the show.

The boat show has been a regular feature in Katie’s life since her first sailing experience back in 2000, where she has been a visitor, employee and now, exhibitor.



Katie will be promoting the show, her partners and sponsors and also her OSTAR 2009 project from onboard and everyone is more than welcome to come down and meet Katie, her boat and the rest of the team.

On Friday 12th September, Katie will also be on the main stage as part of the official launch of the OSTAR 2009, before the launch of her own project on the following Monday.



Katie said, “The PSP Southampton Boat Show has always been an exciting event for me, but this year the boundaries have been pushed even further! The show provides a fantastic opportunity to meet up with current sponsors, heat up the pursuit of potential ones, and importantly, open up our project to other members of the sailing community. “Hot Socks” has had a mini make-over for the show, (the first of many I would imagine!) and it would be fantastic if other sailors would like to come and see her.”

The weekend of the 8th September saw Katie competing in the third race of the Petit Bateau Solent Series. The series consists of four short races in the vicinity of the Solent, and the third featured four turning marks around some of the Solent’s racing buoys.



A longer than normal passage from Cowes to the start line for Hot Socks meant that unfortunately they arrived later than usual, and sailed straight across the line to start. However, they remained with the majority of the fleet until the first mark, before twists in both of her spinnakers ruled Katie’s downwind sails out of the race. As a rule, Hot Sock’ competitive edge had been lost and a very disappointed Katie said “It wasn’t our best race, and a testament that you just cant get to the start line early enough. Clearly I need to practice a little more in the spinnaker department too. Still, on the windward legs we remained competitive, and there were still some good points to be taken fron the race. 5th overall wasn’t that bad, but its always frustrating when you know you should have done better.”

The last of the Petit Bateau Solent Series is on October 11th.