2014 Extreme Sailing Series World Tour to kick off in Singapore

(November 28, 2013) – Following the successful conclusion of the 2013 Series in Brazil less than two weeks ago, Extreme Sailing Series™ organisers OC Sport can confirm that Singapore has been chosen to kick off the eighth season of the elite level Stadium Racing series. The annual world tour of the Extreme Sailing Series will return to the heart of Singapore’s financial hub from the 20-23 February 2014 with racing at the Promontory@Marina Bay, one of the most iconic and internationally recognised stadium racecourses of the 2013 Series.

Global asset management company Aberdeen Asset Management will continue to support the Host Venue of Singapore as the local Event Main Partner and have also today announced their continued support of the local team, Team Aberdeen Singapore. Local sailors Scott Glen Sydney, one of Singapore’s top Laser sailors, and Asian Games keelboat match racing gold medalist, Justin Wong return to the Series hoping to impress the home crowd following a successful first outing this year, joining forces with record breaking Australian sailor Nick Moloney, an offshore sailing legend as well as a veteran of the Series. Moloney also recently skippered the Team Aberdeen Extreme 40 catamaran in the Tommy Bahama Around the Island Race, winning the event with a time of 2 hours 13 minutes and breaking the race record. Team Aberdeen Singapore will announce the names of the remaining crew in the new year.

Patrick Corfe, Director – Marketing at Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited said: “We are excited to be extending our support in Singapore for a second year. The inaugural event in April went down very well with teams, our clients and the general public. Marina Bay makes for really eye-catching racing, and we expect that to be even more intense with new teams and a February date next year, when winds are more predictable. We are thrilled also that Nick Moloney will be on board our boat along with local sailors, Scott Glen Sydney and Justin Wong, to challenge for event honours.”

Mark Turner, Executive Chairman of Series organiser OC Sport puts the year ahead into perspective: “With such a stunning Stadium setting, Singapore is a fitting venue to open the 2014 Series. Racing takes place right in the centre of this iconic city, and in partnership locally with Aberdeen Asset Management, we are sure 2014 will be even better than last year’s Act.”

Whilst the conditions are generally light in Singapore, the enclosed stadium right at the heart of the city will enhance the tension on the racecourse, with at least eight teams confirmed to be on the starting grid. The worldwide tour and a stunning line up of teams will be revealed at an official 2014 Extreme Sailing Series launch on the 8 January 2014 in London.

Summary…
– In partnership with Host Venue Singapore, Global asset management company Aberdeen Asset Management boost event as local Main Partner alongside Series Main Partner Land Rover.
– Singaporean sailors rejoin Team Aberdeen Singapore following successful first outing in 2013 as an Act 1 Wildcard entry
– The Singapore Act will be the curtain raiser to the most ambitious world tour since the event was launched in 2007 – a full starting grid of elite level teams, and worldwide venues, will be announced 8 January 2014, in London (UK).
– 2013 delivered a world-class sporting contest with the Series champion decided in the final seconds of the final race after 190 races sailed. Watch the highlights video from an extraordinary seventh year of international competition here.

Source: ESS tour