Teams announced for Extreme Sailing Series™ in what promises to be the toughest year yet
by Extreme Sailing Series 7 Mar 2018 19:02 GMT
14-17 March 2018
Extreme Sailing Series Act 7, San Diego 2017 - day two - Fleet © Lloyd Images
Seven world-class international teams will take to the water for Act 1 of the 2018 Extreme Sailing Series™ in Muscat, Oman, from 14-17 March.
In the first of eight exceptionally tough events, 35 elite competitive sailors will battle it out on the stunning Omani waters before the Al Mouj Golf course, striving for an Act 1 victory under the Middle Eastern sun.
Determined to secure the coveted Series title, the teams will fight tooth and nail on board their super-fast foiling GC32 catamarans to prove themselves in the first stage of the world's ultimate Stadium Racing championship, now in its 12th year.
With the Series boasting some of the world's finest sailors, competition will be fierce on boats that can hit top speeds in excess of 35 knots. Returning to the circuit are some Extreme Sailing Series veterans and victors - including three-time Extreme Sailing Series champion Leigh McMillan.
The British star, who will take the helm for Land Rover BAR Academy, believes this year's Series will be one of the toughest to date: "The competition is going to be really high this year; I think maybe one of the highest standards we've seen on the circuit in a long time; everyone has to be consistent over the season when it's such a strong fleet."
Kiwi sailor Adam Minoprio, helm for SAP Extreme Sailing Team, agrees: "This year looks like it's going to be the toughest year in a long time. The line-up is going to make for some great racing - consistency is what will win the championship this year." Having emerged triumphant in 2017, the Danish-flagged syndicate returns for its seventh Extreme Sailing Series, determined to top the podium once again.
Hoping to snatch back the title from SAP Extreme Sailing Team, three-time victors Alinghi are also back on the circuit. Returning with the same crew as last year, co-skipper and helm Arnaud Psarofaghis is keen to hit the water in Oman: "Muscat is one of the best Acts of the season - the conditions suit us well. We have the same crew in place as last year, so we already have the chemistry amongst the team to get results."
Among the 2018 challengers is Team México - a wildcard entry in Act 8 of the 2017 Series. The team returns this year with a crew roster that includes of some of Mexico's best sailing talent, such as skipper Erik Brockmann - a J70 World Champion and once ranked in the top-10 in the world in Optimists - and bowman Danel Belausteguigoitia.
Home syndicate Oman Air will be looking to climb the ranks from its 2017 third place podium finish. Skipper and World Match Racing Champion Phil Robertson is raring to go: "We're pumped and ready for the fight in 2018, ready to race on home waters as Team Oman Air. We're determined and committed - we can't wait for battle to commence in our home town of Muscat."
Two further teams competing in Act 1, Muscat will be announced in the coming week.
The Extreme Sailing Series action is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday 14 March from 14:00 local time (UTC+4). The Flying Phantoms are scheduled to race daily from 10:00 local time (UTC+4), also on Wednesday 14 March. Muscat will be the first of five epic foiling Acts in the 2018 Flying Phantom championship.
The teams line-up - Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 1, Muscat, Oman
Alinghi (SUI)
Co-skipper/Helm: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI)
Tactician/Mainsail Trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA)
Headsail Trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI)
Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI)
Foil Trimmer: Timothé Lapauw (FRA)
Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR)
Skipper/Trimmer: Will Alloway (GBR)
Helm: Leigh McMillan (GBR)
Float/Trimmer: Adam Kay (GBR)
Float/Trimmer: Mark Spearman (GBR)
Bowman: Oli Greber (GBR)
Oman Air (OMA)
Skipper/Helm: Phil Robertson (NZL)
Mainsail Trimmer: Pete Greenhalgh (GBR)
Headsail Trimmer: Stewart Dodson (NZL)
Bowman: Nasser Al Mashari (OMA)
Bowman: James Wierzbowski (AUS)
SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN)
Co-skipper/Tactician/Mainsheet: Rasmus Køstner (DEN)
Helm: Adam Minoprio (NZL)
Headsail Trimmer: Pierluigi de Felice (ITA)
Bowman: Richard Mason (GBR)
Trim Assist/Grind: Julius Hallström (SWE)
Team México (MEX)
Skipper/Foil Trimmer: Erik Brockmann (MEX)
Helm: Tom Phipps (GBR)
Mainsail Trimmer: Alex Higby (GBR)
Headsail Trimmer: Tom Buggy (GBR)
Bowman: Danel Belausteguigoitia (MEX)
Click here for further information about Act 1, Muscat