Danes in control at Extreme Sailing Series Qingdao

Qingdao, China (May 2, 2015) – A patchy seven-knot breeze blew across the Chinese racecourse today as the nine international Extreme 40s took to the water in the shadows of the Qingdao skyscrapers for the third day of racing at Extreme Sailing Series Qingdao. The change in conditions mirrored a change in rank within the fleet, as Team Turx powered by Kaya Ropes stepped up to the mark.

Taking home a total of 65 points from a possible 80 in the eight races sailed, the Turkish team, co-skippered by Mitch Booth and Edhem Dirvana, today showed what they were capable of. Stepping away from their mid fleet results of the past two Acts, the Turkish team were second on the days leaderboard, with two race wins – their most successful day on the water since they joined the fleet in February – boosting them up the overall Act leaderboard to fifth place.

The only team to top the Turkish team’s score line were SAP Extreme Sailing Team, who added 68 points to their tally to remain overnight leaders ahead of tomorrow’s final showdown and putting them on course for their maiden Act win.

Entering the day with a plan, Booth explained: “We thought it was going to be lighter breeze today, so our main tactic was to stay away from everyone as much as possible. Even if it was extra distance we had to sail, we just wanted that clean air, as it can get pretty busy at the top end of the course.”

Good starts, smart tactics and taking full advantage of the favoured right-hand side, the team held an impressive level of consistency throughout the day. Co-skipper Dirvana was visible thrilled with the team’s performance as they crossed the line.

“It feels great, we love every minute of sailing here – these boats and being in this fleet is fantastic and to be out here in China representing our country and getting the crowds cheering for us, it’s wonderful. All our hard work is paying off.”

An almost flawless performance by the Danish duo Jes Gram-Hansen and Rasmus Køstner that included three race wins, has put them a clear 23 points ahead of second placed Gazprom Team Russia, currently on 123 points after a day of consistently chipping away at the top half of the pack.

Established teams The Wave, Muscat drop to third overnight on 117 with Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team just one point behind in fourth.

Tomorrow the forecast is set to change again for the final day in China’s Olympic sailing city, with the wind shifting round to the north, and gusts up to 28 knots predicted to pummel the racecourse.

Land Rover Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 3, Qingdao standings after Day 3, 17 races

1st SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Jes Gram-Hansen, Rasmus Køstner, Thierry Douillard, Mads Emil Stephensen, Brad Farrand 146 points.

2nd Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) Igor Lisovenko, Phil Robertson, Garth Ellingham, Alexander Bozhko, Aleksey Kulakov 123 points.

3rd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) Leigh McMillan, Sarah Ayton, Pete Greenhalgh, Ed Smyth, Nasser Al Mashari 117 points.

4th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Hans Peter Steinacher, Jason Waterhouse, Josh McKnight, Shaun Mason, Stewart Dodson 116 points.

5th Team Turx powered by Kaya Ropes (TUR) Edhem Dirvana, Mitch Booth, Selim Kakış, Pedro Andrade, Brock Callen 109 points.

6th Oman Air (OMA) Stevie Morrison, Nic Asher, Ted Hackney, Ed Powys, Ali Al Balashi 88 points.

7th Team Extreme Qingdao (CHN) Jonas Warrer, Cheng Ying Kit, Aaron Cooper, Liu Ming, Kong Chengcheng 75 points.

8th Lino Sonego Team Italia (ITA) Lorenzo Bressani, Enrico Zennaro, Andrea Tesei, Tom Buggy, Stefano Rizzi 72 points.

9th GAC Pindar (GBR) Seve Jarvin, Jack Macartney, Marcus Ashley-Jones, Tyson Lamond, James Wierzbowski 70 points.

ESS website – Event details – Twitter updates

Source: ESS media

Background: The Extreme Sailing Series is in its ninth season, with this year’s eight event tour travelling through Asia, Europe, and Australia. The platform used is the one design Extreme 40 catamaran, with the format highlighting ‘stadium’ short-course racing in front of the public.