Pretty extreme at Extreme Sailing Series Muscat

Muscat, Oman (March 16, 2018) – Drama struck on the water today as two of the season’s newly-formed crews collided on the racecourse on the third day of the 2018 Extreme Sailing Series™.

NZ Extreme Sailing Team and Red Bull Sailing Team collided at the leeward mark on the fourth race of the day while locked in an epic struggle in the closing stages of the race.

Although no crew members were injured, significant damage was sustained to the rudders on both boats, forcing them to retire from today’s racing. Chris Draper, helm for Red Bull Sailing Team, was disappointed to be out of day three.

“It’s very frustrating from our point of view. We’ve got a big night of work ahead of us to get back on the water tomorrow and it’s frustrating to give those points away that could cost us later on in the season. We’ll get back out there and push as hard as we can tomorrow.”

“Not the best way to start the season,” added skipper Roman Hagara. “Luckily no one was injured.”

Following a hearing with the umpires, Red Bull Sailing Team was disqualified from race 14 having not afforded NZ Extreme Sailing Team ample room to sail their proper course around the mark.

Working hard to effect repairs on his boat, NZ Extreme Sailing Team skipper Jason Waterhouse took the crash in his stride.

“When you think of the Extreme Sailing Series, you think of action and lots of breeze,” he said. “That’s why you come to Oman – for these beautiful sea breezes, the backdrop and this close racing. We got a little bit too close today, but that’s what makes it so exciting and great to watch.”

NZ Extreme Sailing Team was awarded average points in races 14 to 18, equal to that of average points achieved in races six to 13. Both boats will be back in the game tomorrow for the final day of Act 1.

With big breeze and glorious sunshine, day three in Muscat did not disappoint. Danish-flagged SAP Extreme Sailing Team had a spectacular day on the water, dominating the fleet throughout, taking four race wins. The team’s helm, Kiwi sailor Adam Minoprio, was thrilled with his results.

“Today was great – downwind and lots of drama,” he said. “I think we did very well. We had really good manoeuvres; we generally pride ourselves on our manoeuvres in big breeze. We’re hoping the wind continues – it would make the last day really exciting.”

SAP Extreme Sailing Team weren’t the only ones to deliver strong results on the Omani waters. Team México, skippered by Erik Brockmann, achieved their best result of the competition, speeding to the finish of race 16 ahead of British contingent Land Rover BAR Academy.

“We’re constantly trying to improve,” explained Brockmann. “There were some races where we were really in touch with the fleet, and that’s what we want – to be really competitive. It was perfect out there today; we’re glad to have these conditions in Oman – we had a blast.”

Yet more big breeze is forecast moving into the final day of Act 1.Racing on the foiling GC32 catamarans concludes March 17.

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Series details – Event information – Scoreboard – Facebook

Standings after Day 3, 18 races
1st Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothé Lapauw, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 194 points.
2nd SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Køstner, Adam Minoprio, Julius Hallström, Pierluigi de Felice, Richard Mason 184 points.
3rd Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Stewart Dodson, Nasser Al Mashari 180 points.
4th Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) Will Alloway, Leigh McMillan, Oli Greber, Adam Kay, Mark Spearman 166 points.
5th NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) Jason Waterhouse, Will Tiller, Harry Hull, Luke Payne, Guy Endean 148 points.
6th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Chris Draper, Ed Powys, Neil Hunter, Dan Morris, Rhys Mara 145 points.
7th Team México (MEX) Erik Brockmann, Tom Buggy, Alex Higby, Tom Phipps, Danel Belausteguigoitia Fierro 126 points.

2018 Extreme Sailing Series™ calendar
March 14-17 – Act 1, Muscat, Oman
May 24-27 – GC32 World Championship, Lake Garda, Italy
June 14-17 – Act 2, Barcelona, Spain
July 5-8 – Act 3, Portugal
August 9-12 – Act 4, St Petersburg, Russia
August 24-27 – Act 5, Cardiff, UK
October 18-21 – Act 6, San Diego, USA
November 29-December 2 – Act 7, Los Cabos, Mexico

Background: The Extreme Sailing Series is in its twelfth season, with this year’s eight event tour travelling through Middle East, Europe and the Americas. The platform used is the one design foiling GC32 catamaran, with the format highlighting ‘stadium’ short-course racing in front of the public.

Source: ESS