Leaders set for head-to-head showdown at iShares Cup finale

Next week the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series arrives right in the heart of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, for the grand finale of the European circuit.

After four events and am amazing 61 fast and furious races this season, incredibly there is a draw at the top of the overall leaderboard, with TEAMORIGIN (GBR), skippered by defending iShares Cup champion Rob Greenhalgh, tied with the America's Cup holders Alinghi (SUI) skippered by Ed Baird. Alinghi have won the past three iShares Cup events in a row, whilst TEAMORIGIN scored consistent second places at every venue to hold the lead overall - until now.

Both teams will be determined to wrestle the top spot from their rivals, but the fifth and final venue is shaping up to be the trickiest so far for the sailors. "Amsterdam is going to be the most challenging venue of the whole iShares Cup season because of the tight spaces and swirling winds, so there's going to be a lot to think about; as ever in learning how to sail these boats, but also in figuring out what works on these courses," said Alinghi skipper Ed Baird.

"Hopefully we'll have a chance to be in a good spot on the leaderboard at the end of the season, but the TEAMORIGIN guys won last year and they have been very strong all year, so it is going to be a real challenge to try and finish ahead of them," he concluded.

TEAMORIGIN skipper Robert Greenhalgh was looking forward to the duel: "And so we get to the final event of what has been an excellent iShares Cup Extreme 40 series. Obviously our aim is to win the series and so we will be 100 per cent focused on that goal. Our boat is fully repaired and ready to go after the crash on the last day of Kiel so let's hope we get some great racing in what will be a very tight space!"

Earlier this month at the fourth event of the series in Kiel, Germany, around 80,000 spectators watched the incredible catamarans battle it out just yards from the shore, and the racing will be even closer to the seawalls in Amsterdam for an unmissable spectacle. Because of the big fleet and ultra-tight racetrack the 10 Extreme 40s will be split into 'rounds' of five races, with eight boats racing at a time on the narrow IJ-Haven.

Alan Hillman, Race Director, explained: 'On the final day after completing as many rounds as possible and counting up all the teams accumulated points we shall have a Grand Finale for the top eight boats. This race will have a lot at stake as it counts double the points and should create a nail-biting, high pressure finish for the teams as they fight for the 2008 iShares Cup."

The high-octane competition continues right through the fleet, with third-placed BT currently just two points ahead of Holmatro - who'll be fighting hard for a good showing in their home venue. Oman Sail and JPMorgan Asset Management are snapping at their heels too, with just five points separating the four boats. BT skipper Nick Moloney admitted that Amsterdam was going to pile on the pressure: "It's good fun but I'm a little nervous about it because for us to be on the podium at the moment for the overall standings of the year means there is a lot to lose.

"It's a very tricky place. It's just a really small body of water, so it's hard to manoeuvre the boats - particularly when you put several other boats in that same stretch. It's between two very high lanes of buildings either side of you, and there are gaps in between so you get small gusts of wind coming through the gaps and then big shut-downs when you're in the lee of the buildings. One of the scariest elements is that when it's windy you don't have a lot of runway to get sails down when you're a little bit out of control or when you've got a problem on board, so that's a little bit concerning. Last year in Amsterdam we had a lot of crashes. We've been on the receiving end of some of that this year but so far we've been in the right - so that is a concern when you're about to go to a place that last year was a bit like Nascar!"

Other teams who will looking for a good showing are the largely Dutch crew on Volvo Ocean Race who'll want a great result at the Netherlands leg, as will the American team onboard Tommy Hilfiger who have strong Dutch connections with their title sponsors. Team Aqua found great form to finish the last event in third place, while iShares ended Round 4 on a high by winning the final double-points race, and both will be hoping to build on their improving results.

After a media and practice race day on Thursday September 18th, racing takes place from Friday 19th August to Sunday 21st August on the IJ-Haven between Java Island and the Tosaristraat Bridge. Racing starts at 1.00 each day, with up to 10 short and sharp races scheduled each afternoon. There will be a parade of sail before each afternoon, and onshore commentary to help visitors keep up with the fast-paced action, while the iShares Cup race village in the IJ-Haven will be also be open to the public.

"The final iShares Cup venue of Amsterdam is a very interesting city and with two boats tied in first everything is in place for a great final - it will be very exciting, but I'm sure there are lots of other teams who'll want to disturb the duel between TEAMORIGIN and Alinghi," said Event Director Gilles Chiorri.

"Sunday in Amsterdam is a car-free day so we are expecting lots of public to come and watch the racing, and hoping for another spectacle like we saw in Kiel at the last iShares Cup event."

Follow all the action at www.iSharesCup.com