2018 Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 1, Muscat: Two of the season's newly-formed crews collide
by Extreme Sailing Series 16 Mar 2018 20:58 GMT
14-17 March 2018
NZ Extreme Sailing Team colliding with Red Bull sailing team on day 3 of 2018 Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 1, Muscat © Lloyd Images
Drama struck on the water today, Friday 16th March, 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 the challengers 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. In perfect conditions for extreme sailing, the teams flew round the course in strong winds, with the foiling GC32s hitting top speeds of 30 knots, just metres away from the crowded shoreline. 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. Will it all be champagne sailing, or will drama strike once again? Racing continues tomorrow at an earlier time of 13:00 local time (UTC+4). Tune into the live coverage on the official Extreme Sailing Series website and Facebook to catch the action.
In the Flying Phantom Series, Team France Jeune and Red Bull Sailing Team continued their fight for an Act win in Muscat. Team France Jeune leads into the final day of racing, with Red Bull Sailing Team in second and Idreva Zephyr Foiling in third.
The Flying Phantom Series continues tomorrow from 10:00 local time (UTC+4). Results are tweeted from the Extreme Sailing Series Twitter at the end of each race.
Extreme Sailing Series™ 2018 Act 1 Standings: (18 races)
1st Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothé Lapauw, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 194pts
2nd SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Køstner, Adam Minoprio, Julius Hallström, Pierluigi de Felice, Richard Mason 184pts
3rd Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Stewart Dodson, Nasser Al Mashari 180pts
4th Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) Will Alloway, Leigh McMillan, Oli Greber, Adam Kay, Mark Spearman 166pts
5th NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) Jason Waterhouse, Will Tiller, Harry Hull, Luke Payne, Guy Endean 148pts
6th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Chris Draper, Ed Powys, Neil Hunter, Dan Morris, Rhys Mara 145pts
7th Team México (MEX) Erik Brockmann, Tom Buggy, Alex Higby, Tom Phipps, Danel Belausteguigoitia Fierro 126pts
Flying Phantom Series Act 1 Standings: (18 races)
1st Team France Jeune (FRA) Solune Robert, Antoine Rucard 346pts
2nd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Olivia Mackay, Micah Wilkinson 344pts
3rd Idreva Zephyr Foiling (FRA) Charles Hainneville, Pierre-Yves Durand 321pts
4th Culture Foil (FRA) Nicolas Ferellec, Théo Constance 310pts
5th Flying Frogs (FRA) Pierre Le Clainche, Arnaud Vasseur 282pts
6th EVO Visian ICL (GER) Raphael Neuhann, Elias Neuhann 263pts
7th UON (POR) José Cladeira, Helder Basilio 258pts
8th Masterlan (CZE) David Krizek, Zdenek Adam 230pts
Team Oman Air on Muscat podium going into final day of Extreme Sailing Series (from Oman Sail)
The breeze and tension increased in Muscat on day three of the Extreme Sailing Series, with the Oman Air team holding a podium place with all to play for ahead of Saturday's deciding races.
Team Oman Air started the third day with a flourish, winning the first race to keep the pressure on the overall Muscat event leaders Alinghi.
Following that the team posted a succession of strong podium place finishes – including a further race win – though it was the reigning 2017 Series champions SAP Extreme Sailing Team who hit form with four race wins to ease into second place overall with a narrow four point lead over Oman Air.
With the wind strength up into the mid-teens and a choppy sea state, the foiling GC32 catamarans were able to showcase the excitement of the Extreme Sailing Series, reaching speeds of up to 30 knots to the delight of hundreds of spectators lining the shore at Al Mouj Muscat.
With a further day of racing to go – and with the final race of the event counting for double points – the Oman Air team of skipper Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Stewart Dodson and Nasser Al Mashari know there is plenty of opportunity for change.
"We had more breeze today and it's a different boat and a different game – it was a lot of fun to be honest as it's a good blast to have that kind of wind after a few days of light airs," said Robertson.
"It's always nice to come out and win right off the bat, and we had a few other races where we were leading as well, so a good day all in all. We're loving it," added the upbeat New Zealander.
"We know what our homework is and there are a few little points to work on, but that's also a positive. With more breeze again tomorrow, and double points in the last race, there is a lot of pressure on the leading boats to perform again. We will come out with a fresh mind and open to everything, there are a lot of points out there and we will be trying to take them all."
Oman's experienced Extreme Sailing Series racer Al Mashari also welcomed the fresher conditions out on the Muscat course.
"We all had a lot of fun out there and the spirit on the boat is good," he said. "I think it is also great that the many spectators who came down to watch were able to see the excitement of the racing.
"For all of us on Oman Air it is good to know that we have a lot of local support. Muscat is my home so it is a great feeling to be able to race here," he added.
Overall, Alinghi lead the event with 194 points. SAP are second on 184, with Oman Air hard on their heels with 180 points.
Action in the Extreme Sailing Series continues off Al Mouj, Muscat on Saturday, with the free public access Race Village at Al Mouj Golf again offering a close-up view of the drama on the race course.
The Race Village offers a varied range of activities for families and children, and also features the popular 'Weekend Souq' – with more than 45 vendors – from the creators of the successful Souq Es Sabt farmers' market.