Training begins this week for the 35th America’s Cup

The 2014 Extreme Sailing Series will celebrate its eighth year on the international sailing calendar, with twelve elite teams putting it on the line this week as the circuit gets underway in Singapore.

The season has gotten extra attention this year, as with details still getting sorted out for the 35th America’s Cup, several aspiring challengers are directing their training to the Extreme 40 racing. Among the field in Singapore are…

Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – Skipper/Helm: Dean Barker (NZL)
GAC Pindar (AUS) – Skipper/Helm: Seve Jarvin (AUS)
Groupama Team France (FRA) – Skipper/Helm: Franck Cammas (FRA)
J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) – Skipper/Helm: Ben Ainslie (GBR)

While GAC Pindar has been a previous Extreme Sailing Series competitor, in 2014 they have joined forces with Team Australia, the Challenger of Record for the 35th America’s Cup, and will compete for the fourth consecutive season with a talented young all-Aussie crew led by Seve Jarvin, the youngest skipper in the series.

Joining Jarvin will be experienced America’s Cup sailors Sam Newton, Ed Smyth, and Troy Tindill, and 2013 18ft Female Skiff World Champion Alexandra South.

“The Extreme Sailing Series tour will be an exciting challenge for 2014 and I’m looking forward to getting out on the water and competing,” said Jarvin, who arrived in Singapore earlier this week. “We’ll face some tough opposition, with a world-class line up of sailors, but we’ve spent the last few weeks in Sydney training on F18 Catamarans, and the crew are in great shape. We are ready to give it our all!”

Following the Singapore stop, Jarvin will return to Sydney where he will set sights on leading his Gotta Love It 7 team of Sam Newton and Scott Babbage into the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18 Footer Championship (March 1-9). Jarvin will be attempting to equal the record of his team manager Iain Murray as a six times winning skipper.

Murray is also the leader at Team Australia, which is the Challenger of Record for the 35th America’s Cup.

Scuttlebutt is hosting video players to watch the racing in Singapore. Competition begins Thursday, with live streaming starting on Friday. Click here for details.