Extreme Sailing Series™ 2014 Act 5, Cardiff, Wales - Overall
by Extreme Sailing Series 26 Aug 2014 07:52 BST
22-25 August 2014
Three-way shoot out at the top as Oman fly the flag on British waters
Cardiff Bay saved the best for last for the 11-boat Extreme 40 fleet, where Alinghi, The Wave, Muscat and J.P. Morgan BAR battled it out until the bitter end for the top positions, in one of the closest – and most exciting – three-horse fights seen in the Series, which resulted in a three way collision and three consecutive penalties too boot in the final race. You couldn't have scripted a better final, with the leaders leaning on each other hard as they tried to gain the upper hand and The Wave, Muscat took advantage of the tussle to sail away with the win at Act 5 presented by Land Rover – and importantly closing in on Alinghi on the overall 2014 Series leaderboard as a relieved McMillan commented: "We're on track this season, there's nothing more we can do that's for sure. The competition is very tight and Alinghi have been really slick this year and have brought in some unbelievable performances. To get one over on them here kind of brings it back down by a point and if we are going to keep pushing them hard, and they do the same to us it's going to go down to the crunch."
That left Ben Ainslie and Morgan Larson in a straight shoot out for second, but the British skipper couldn't break the domination of Switzerland's Alinghi, with Larson snatching it from the grasps of J.P. Morgan BAR. Alinghi's Olympic champion tactician Anna Tunnicliffe talked through the final race: "We were waiting for Leigh (McMillan) to tack and he drove us right into the boats rounding the mark and boats started coming at us head first. We ended up above the mark so we couldn't bear away and at the same time, Ben (Ainslie) was coming round into the side of us and it all turned into a mess. All three boats were tangled on each other. It's very frustrating, but hopefully we can learn from our mistakes, we're still on top which is good – the damage could have been worse. We need to move on to Istanbul and refocus for that event." Replay today's Stadium Racing, including that final race shoot out, here.
Ben Ainslie's J.P. Morgan BAR were on fire and threatening all day, posting a steady stream of consistent results and slowly chipping away at the leading pack to put themselves in the running. Despite just missing out on second place, the team's four-times Olympic champion skipper Ainslie was satisfied with the final position, who this week were joined by local lad, Bleddyn Mon. "It has been a great improvement to see us on the podium and great to challenge with the top teams today. It's a big step forwards and hopefully we can continue this for the rest of the Series. Sailing with Paul Campbell-James was fantastic, he has taught us a lot about these boats and Bleddyn was a great addition, he worked incredibly hard. We are looking forward to sailing with Paul Goodison in Istanbul and as we develop further in the event."
In traditional UK Bank Holiday style, the day started with an onslaught of rain, before the clouds lifted, the breeze picked up and the fleet played out the final races in a beautiful 15 knots of breeze, with lots of ducking and weaving, hitting top speeds of 20 knots. In a programme of eight races on the final day, Red Bull Sailing Team made a late surge with their best results of the week, including a pair of wins on the tight racecourse, to upgrade their overnight position from eighth, to fourth at the close of play. Their double Olympic champion skipper Roman Hagara commented: "We found out how to start well on the racecourse which was key. We had good boat work and were good at approaching the marks; we did almost everything right. We finished the Act in fourth so that's a really good result for us, and looking ahead to Istanbul, we need to start the first day as we finished it here."
A further four points back in fifth place is the Swiss Realteam – and significantly for them, a disappointing 11th place for Emirates Team New Zealand, has seen Jerôme Clerc and his Swiss team leapfrog up the Series leaderboard, to third place.
The battle in the bottom half of the leaderboard was just as fierce, with only three points separating eighth placed Gazprom Team Russia to 11th placed Emirates Team New Zealand – and with Act 6, Istanbul less than three weeks away, you can bet that the there will be some stern locker room debriefs, before the teams meet again.
Cardiff has once again delivered an outstanding event, with 90,000 spectators getting front row seats to the action, as part of the Cardiff Harbour Festival. Act 6 Istanbul takes place from the 11-14 September, and with news of a local team entry in the coming days, it will be a packed startline of 12 teams, as the fleet head to the city where East meets West.
Final Standings: (33 races)
1st The Wave, Muscat (OMA) Leigh McMillan, Sarah Ayton, Pete Greenhalgh, Kinley Fowler, Nasser Al Mashari 210pts
2nd Alinghi (SUI) Morgan Larson, Anna Tunnicliffe, Pierre-Yves Jorand, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 205pts
3rd J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) Ben Ainslie, Nick Hutton, Paul Campbell-James, Bleddyn Mon, Matt Cornwell 203pts
4th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Hans-Peter Steinacher, Mark Bulkeley, Shaun Mason, Stewart Dodson 186pts
5th Realteam by Realstone (SUI) Jérôme Clerc, Arnaud Psarofaghis, Bruno Barbarin, Bryan Mettraux, Thierry Wassem 182pts
6th Oman Air (OMA) Rob Greenhalgh, Ted Hackney, Kyle Langford, Hashim Al Rashdi, Musab Al Hadi 175pts
7th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Jes Gram-Hansen, Rasmus Køstner, Thierry Douillard, Jonas Hviid-Nielsen, Brad Farrand, Nicolai Sehested 174pts
8th Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) Igor Lisovenko, Phil Robertson, Matt Adams, Pete Cumming, Aleksey Kulakov 154pts
9th Groupama sailing team (FRA) Franck Cammas, Romain Motteau, Tanguy Cariou, Thierry Fouchier, Devan Le Bihan 154pts
10th GAC Pindar (AUS) Nathan Wilmot, Hugh Styles, Ed Smyth, Seve Jarvin, James Wierzbowski 153pts
11th Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) Dean Barker, Ray Davies, James Dagg, Jeremy Lomas, Edwin Delaat 151pts
Extreme Sailing Series™ 2014 Overall Standings: (after Act 5)
1st Alinghi (SUI) 47pts
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 45pts
3rd Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 34pts
4th Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 33pts
5th J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 25pts
6th Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 22pts
7th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 20pts
8th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 18pts
9th Oman Air (OMA) 16pts
10th Groupama sailing team (FRA) 15pts
11th GAC Pindar (AUS) 5pts
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The Wave, Muscat victorious in Cardiff after a tense and gripping final day – Oman Air takes more podium finishes and sets sights higher (from Oman Sail)
Leigh McMillan and his crew on The Wave, Muscat held their nerve all the way down adrenalin alley in Cardiff Bay to pull off a remarkable victory in Act 5 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff while Oman Air put down a marker for the rest of the series.
At the start of the final race of the day, having come last in the first two races, they were at the top of the rankings, leading closest rivals Alinghi and J.P Morgan BAR. To take the win, they needed to execute some bold moves resulting in all three ending up in a 'tangle', which as McMillan explained, worked in favour of the Wave, Muscat.
"It has been a roller coaster ride here in Cardiff – pretty emotional," admitted McMillan.
"We battled all through the day and we tried to race well as a team and after a couple of bad races at the start, we regrouped and we did it. It came down to the wire as always in the last race. We don't do things the easy way so it was pretty touch and go."
"There were three of us fighting for the wind all right next to each other and none of us were laying the windward mark but it ended up playing into our hands. It was light and we were trying to push Alinghi the wrong side of the mark so we all got into a tangle which worked in our favour.
The victory, their second in the series after a win in Muscat earlier this year, reduces Alinghi's overall lead in the series to just two points with three Acts in 2014 remaining including the next Act in Istanbul.
"We've been solid all year and are winning events but in Istanbul, we can take it back to Alinghi and it will continue to be a big showdown as the year progresses."
The Wave, Muscat crew of Sarah Ayton, Nasser Al Mashari, Pete Greenhalgh and Kinley Fowler attracted a large and loyal following among the local crowds in Cardiff and they were thrilled at the support.
"To win an Extreme 40 event especially in Cardiff is a big deal so we are very happy," said Al Mashari.
"It was good to hear the spectators cheering for us as we came through the finish line. It made it more powerful and exciting."
It was another promising contest for Rob Greenhalgh and Oman Air, who finished in sixth place just seven points behind Realteam to sit in ninth place on the overall leaderboard.
The addition of new crewmember Ted Hackney had been a success, Greenhalgh said, and he had worked well alongside Kyle Langford, Hashim Al Rashdi and Musab Al Hadi with a marked improvement in their performances including nine podium places from 33 races.
"I am pleased with sixth – we would have liked to have finished in the top half but it was all very close. We have made general improvements and are pleased with our performances – Ted has been a great addition to the crew and everyone is happy.
"It's been a hard event but Musab and Hashim do a great job at the front of the boat making sure we get round the course quickly.
"Now we are looking forward to Istanbul. We all feel we can compete for podium positions so will be looking to finish in the top five or six overall."
The success was not confined to the water. For the third time in the series, Oman Sail was awarded Land Rover's Above and Beyond Award, awarded to the team or individual who demonstrates the finest examples of skill, sportsmanship and strength of mind.
This time, the Omani team shared it jointly with JPMorgan for helping Emirates Team New Zealand with their broken rudder on the first day of racing on Friday.
J.P. Morgan BAR step up to the podium (from J.P. Morgan BAR)
The final day of the Extreme Sailing Series Act 5 in Cardiff Bay saw J.P Morgan BAR step up for their first podium finish of the season. The team took a third place overall away from a down-to-the-wire finish that could have seen any one of three boats take the win.
It started out as a good day to be building an Ark, with torrential rain and not much wind, but the breeze built and by the final race the teams had to reduce sail. It all came down to this final double-points race in the breeze, and the three boats contesting the podium places were Alinghi; The Wave, Muscat; and J.P. Morgan BAR.
Act 5 was settled at the first mark of that final race, when all three boats were involved in penalty incidents and as a result, ended up collectively tailing the fleet home. It worked to The Wave, Muscat's advantage and they took the overall win with 210 points, Alinghi finished in second with 205 points, and then J.P. Morgan Bar with 203 points.
J.P. Morgan BAR's skipper, Ben Ainslie was understandably pleased with the result. "It has been a big improvement to see us on the podium. It has been great to challenge for the win today with the top teams – Alinghi and The Wave, Muscat. It has been a big step forwards and hopefully we can continue this for the rest of the series."
Ainslie was also happy about the changes to the crew that had been made for the Cardiff Act. "Sailing with Paul [Campbell-James] was fantastic, he has taught us a lot about these boats and Bleddyn [Mon] was a great addition, he really worked incredibly hard. We are looking forward to sailing with Paul Goodison in Istanbul and as we develop further in the Series."
Wales very own Bleddyn Mon, was understandably delighted, "It was great to be a part of the team, it has been a fantastic vibe. Being on the podium this weekend is a great step forward for the future."
There was a bonus for the J.P. Morgan BAR shore team, who won the Land Rover "Above and Beyond Award" which recognises "outstanding determination, skill, teamwork and composure reflecting inspirational behaviour in the world of sailing". It was awarded to J.P. Morgan BAR and the Oman Sail shore crew for the support they provided to Emirates Team New Zealand when they lost their rudder on day two, after SAP Extreme Sailing team ran into the back of them. Jono Macbeth, Richy O'Farrell and Ian Mccabe accepted the award on behalf of the J.P. Morgan BAR team.
Groupama 40 in Cardiff: an enjoyable experience (from Groupama sailing team)
Ninth in the overall ranking in the fifth stage of the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff, the skipper of Groupama 40 gives us a positive analysis of its participation against some of the best sailors on the sailing planet. Second in the ranking on the fourth and final day of racing, the French crew's efforts are rewarded after having to repair their boat, which was damaged during a port/starboard incident.
Sport in general and sailing in particular are unique in making those who practise it at the top level feel humble. In the Extreme Sailing Series, this is played out time and again, with Cardiff being no exception to the rule: "It's really a very close-run thing. There's only very little separating the competitors. In the leading group on the first day, the Danish team on SAP finished seventh. And when you see Team New Zealand and Dean Barker finish behind you, which I reckoned had sailed consistently, you realise that things happen very fast and that there's really very little separating us all." commented the skipper of Groupama.
Second in the ranking on the final day, as much as a result of the races themselves as the quality of the starts, (analysis by SAP), Franck Cammas and his crew lost their smile a little after a poor start and a port/starboard incident where the Australians on GAC Pindar were at fault: "This violent collision, the energy spent on repairing the damage as well as the fact that it was impossible for us to race the following day, broke our stride. Fortunately, we responded well on the final day. We had nothing to lose. As such we were more aggressive on the water and got off to some good starts. We only messed up on a single race, which would have enabled us to move up three places in the overall ranking. No matter though, we've finished on a high and that's what's important" Franck continues, adding: "There was also a little more wind than on previous days. In such conditions, we are more at ease in the transition phases, the accelerations and at the helm. I have a better feel for the boat."
Ninth in Cardiff, tenth in the overall ranking, Groupama 40 will have to make the most of the next stage in Istanbul, Turkey, from 11 to 14 September, to snatch back some points. It's an exercise, in which Franck Cammas won't be able to participate, as he'll be competing in the World Nacra 17 Championships in Santander, Spain, during the same period. In his absence, Tanguy Cariou will take up the role of skipper and François Morvan, a match racing and catamaran specialist, will be at the helm.
Strong showing in Cardiff Extreme Sailing Series for Team GAC Pindar (from Neil Brotherston, Team GAC Pindar)
GAC Pindar posted a 10th place finish, in a Regatta that was dominated by changeable winds, heavy downpours, large crowds and a constantly changing leader board.
After a slow first day of results for GAC Pindar, which ended with an unfortunate T-bone crash with Groupama Sailing Team, the team improved their performances throughout with a dominant third day in which they claimed four podium finishes out of five races, including their first victory of the regatta. As the Extreme Sailing Series moves to Istanbul next month, the GAC Pindar crew are looking to build on their strong performance in Cardiff and continue to move up the leader board.
Fresh off the back of posting their best set of results ever on day three, GAC Pindar continued sailing well on the final day, finishing 2nd in race three, 4th in race six and 4th in the final race of the day, which counted for double points. GAC Pindar eventually finished just one point behind Groupama in 9th and Gazprom in 8th, after both finished ahead of GAC Pindar in the final race.
GAC Pindar Skipper, Nathan Wilmot, who is one of many Olympic Champions amongst the field, believes that the strong showing in Cardiff has given the team the confidence boost that they needed to finish the series strongly: "It's been a great regatta for us. We've really grown as a team and shown to everyone that we are more than a match for the other crews. Day three was a spectacular day for us, and 4 out of 5 podiums are the sort of results we should be looking to get more often.
We've been putting in the hard work and it's great to see it really paying off. The calibre of sailors in the fleet is remarkable, so there are no easy rides. We've got a tired crew out there, but that is testament to the hard work they have put in over the past 4 days. Cardiff has left us feeling very confident ahead of the next leg in Istanbul."
GAC Pindar team coach, Ian Williams, who is himself a four time World Match Racing Tour Champion said, "The team has improved a great deal as the regatta has gone on and they continued that today. I have every confidence they can continue that progress going into the next regatta and make a flying start in Istanbul. Their average daily points of 2 (day 1), 4 (day 2) and 8 on day 3 really shows the progress made. An average score of 7 is enough to win the regatta. The boys have worked really hard and I'm delighted that that is now starting to be reflected in their results."
GAC Pindar Principal, Andrew Pindar added: "This regatta has been much more like it and is the level I know this team can perform to. They are improving all the time and Nathan is doing a great job of leading the team. His tactical nous was there for all to see on day 3. We've always said that as the series progresses and the team get used to each other, we will shoot up the leader board. So we're delighted at the progress being shown and will push on from here in Istanbul."
Spectacular sportsmanship by Sir Ben Ainslie's J.P. Morgan BAR Team and Oman Sail's Shore Crew Recognised by Land Rover's Above and Beyond Award (from Land Rover Sailing)
Series Main Partner to the Extreme Sailing Series™, Land Rover, has awarded the third 'Above and Beyond' Award in Cardiff, United Kingdom to Sir Ben Ainslie's J.P. Morgan BAR team and Oman Sail's shore crew after the two teams demonstrated spectacular sportsmanship on the second day of Act 5 of the global Stadium Racing circuit.
The 'Above and Beyond' Award recognises the team, individual or the extended sailing family involved in the Extreme Sailing Series™, who has demonstrated outstanding determination, skill, teamwork and composure reflecting inspirational behaviour in the world of sailing.
On Day 2 of racing in the heart of the capital city of Wales, Cardiff, the Stadium Racecourse was just 300 metres wide and 700 metres long for the 11 top professional teams racing on their carbon fibre Extreme 40 catamarans.
In the fifth race of the day, SAP Extreme Sailing team careered into the back of Emirates Team New Zealand, led by America's Cup skipper, Dean Barker. Race Director and Above and Beyond Award Committee Member, Phil Lawrence takes up the story: "There was a very large gust just as the teams were approaching the gate mark and the fleet was very close together. SAP Extreme Sailing Team was unable to avoid a collision, slamming into the back of Emirates Team New Zealand, chopping off their rudder. The Kiwi boat was unable to steer and heading towards the rocks in Cardiff Bay when Jo Lees and the Oman Sail RIB [chase boat] spotted the situation and immediately went alongside in his RIB to steer ETNZ away from the rocks. Sadly, ETNZ were unable to continue racing as their rudder was completely destroyed.
"On learning this, the shore crew onboard the J.P. Morgan BAR RIB immediately went ashore to get their spare rudder, assembled it and helped to fit it onboard the Emirates Team New Zealand Extreme 40 with a speed that meant the Kiwi team missed just two races and were able to get back on the racecourse.
"This sort of sportsmanship is unique to the sport of sailing and deserves to be recognised with the Land Rover Above and Beyond Award," he concluded.
The leaders of the shore crews, Jo Lees (Oman Sail) and Jono Macbeth (J.P. Morgan BAR) were nominated to the Above & Beyond Committee by the Emirates Team New Zealand Skipper, Dean Barker: "I nominated them because it is the sportsmanship they showed when things were going pear-shaped to help a rival team.
"At one stage it looked like we were going to end up on the beach and Jo from Oman Sail got into position really quickly and helped us tack the boat away from the imminent issues and then Jono and the other guys from the J.P. Morgan BAR team went and got us a rudder and stock which allowed us to change it pretty quickly on the water. It is the sportsmanship that was shown to help another competitor when they don't need to go out of their way to do that, that deserves to be recognised," Barker concluded.
Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper of J.P. Morgan BAR commented, "It is great that the shore crew get recognised with Land Rover's Above and Beyond Award. These are the guys working behind the scenes to make everything happen and they all work hard as a group of individual teams but muscle together to keep the Series and teams on the road and they deserve to be credited. Our guys are a great addition to the team. Sailing is a great sport in general with great camaraderie, but in particular in this Series, because of the short course, stadium racing that we do, it is much more prevalent that the teams help each other out."
The Land Rover Above and Beyond Award Committee is chaired by Land Rover Global Ambassador, Hannah White, Extreme Sailing Series™ Race Director, Phil Lawrence, Event Director Andy Tourell and former winner of the Extreme Sailing Series™ and America's Cup sailor, Dave 'Freddie' Carr.