HAMPSHIRE sailing star Mike Golding will swap one hull for two this weekend as he takes to the water for the inaugural 2009 iShares Cup event.

Golding is stepping out from behind the wheel of his Open 60 yacht to take up the helm of one of the most exciting boats on the water, the Extreme 40.

The 48-year-old from Warsash, Britain’s top solo sailor, will be joined on the water by a host of top names including Isle of Wight-based former Olympian Shirley Robertson.

The Cup starts in Venice on Saturday with ten top-flight racing teams going head to head at the first of six events in state-of-the-art 40ft catamarans, capable of speeds of up to 40mph.