FORMER Olympian Shirley Robertson has been announced as the sole female skipper in one of the most exciting regattas to come to Hampshire waters.

The double Olympic gold medallist will take the helm of JPMorgan Asset Management in this year's iShares Cup circuit.

Nine high-performance Extreme 40 catamarans will go head to head at speeds of up to 30mph in the five-event circuit.

The visual spectacle will be coming to the Solent from August 2 to 4 as part of Skandia Cowes Week.

Roberston will be joined on the water by two times British National Match Racing Champion Nick Hutton, from Hamble, and New Zealander Chris Main.

They have been training in the Solent ahead of the first event in Lugano, Switzerland, next week.

Robertson said: "Last year was my first opportunity to race multi-hulls and it was quite a baptism of fire on occasions.

"They are amazing boats and I can easily say it is the most fun I have had yacht racing.

"It's going to be a tough competition with the America's Cup teams joining the iShares Cup circuit and having huge budgets to play with, but we have a great team and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Robertson was JPMorgan's first choice skipper after competing in last year's cup.

Also racing in this year's cup onboard British entry TeamOrigin will be Southampton brothers, and last year's champions, Rob and Pete Greenhalgh.