Charles Dunstone, founder and CEO of the Carphone Warehouse Group, has announced that he will be competing aboard his new Reichel-Pugh Maxi Sled - ENIGMA OF LONDON - at Skandia Cowes Week 2003 (2-9 August).

Dunstone, a former Skandia Cowes Week winner, has confirmed that he will be racing for the Britannia Cup and the New York Yacht Club Challenge Trophy and has issued a challenge to other 'Maxi' yacht owners to join him in competing for these prestigious trophies.

"There are a number of similar Ultra Light Displacement Boats likely to be in the area having competed in the DaimlerChrysler TransAtlantic Challenge or in preparation for the Fastnet Race and we hope that they join us for some close racing at this year's Regatta," challenges Dunstone.

ENIGMA, a 76 foot 'TransPac Maxi Sled', was formerly called CHANCE and was designed by Reichel Pugh Yacht Designs in San Diego. She was acquired in California by Dunstone earlier this year and has undergone a rapid transformation to make her competitive on the European circuit.

"Not only was the boat heavily configured to the light downwind conditions of the TransPac course but she had also been shackled by a speed limit imposed on the race two years ago," explained Dunstone's sailing manager Matt Cowpe, who project-managed the work.

"Working with the Reichel Pugh design office we have unleashed ENIGMA, extending her by three feet, adding several tons to the keel bulb which gives a huge increase in stability and significantly increases the sail area she can carry - all of which contributes to a more versatile and higher performance configuration," says Cowpe.

ENIGMA is currently competing in the Mediterranean regatta circuit before coming north to the UK to compete at Skandia Cowes Week and in the Fastnet Race. Even in the generally light wind conditions of the Mediterranean and early in the development of the boat she has shown blistering pace in excess of 20 knots and promises to be an impressive sight in the UK this summer.