Flying Phantom Series set for take-off in 2018
by Extreme Sailing Series 22 Feb 2018 18:46 GMT
14-17 March 2018
A fleet of up to 11 Flying Phantoms are expected to take part, and fans can expect some full-on racing from the top international sailors © Martina Barnetova
Following a highly successful first year, the Flying Phantom Series is set to lift-off alongside the Extreme Sailing Series™ once again in 2018, providing even more high-speed racing for fans around the world.
A fleet of up to 11 Flying Phantoms are expected to take part, and fans can expect some full-on racing from the top international sailors as this fleet adds to the on-water action at four of the Extreme Sailing Series Acts.
Weighing just 165kgs and crewed by two people, the Phantoms are smaller and lighter than the GC32s that race in the Extreme Sailing Series. But the power of these carbon-fibre multihulls should not be underestimated - they can reach breathtaking speeds of over 30 knots when charging along on their hydrofoils.
The 2018 Series gets underway in Muscat, Oman from 14-17 March alongside the Extreme Sailing Series. With warm water, reliable wind and sunshine, Muscat is the perfect place to kick things off this year.
Thomas Normand, Flying Phantom Class President, commented: "The class is very excited for the second edition of the Flying Phantom Series in conjunction with the Extreme Sailing Series. Muscat will be our first ever event in the Middle East so it is nice to see the class spreading across the world, especially when the teams are represented by such talented foiling crews."
From Oman, the pocket-rocket foilers will head to the Baie de Quiberon on the west coast of France for the second Act of the Series, the only event of the year not to be held alongside the Extreme Sailing Series. OC Sport has teamed up with the Ecole Nationale de Voile et des Sports Nautiques (ENVSN), a highly regarded sailing base that has bred some of France's top sailing talent, to organise the event.
Arguably one of the best locations in Europe for foiling, the Baie de Quiberon is a foiling haven with flat water and a good prevailing westerly wind. Racing is scheduled from 18-21 May from the ENVSN and will see the Flying Phantoms racing alongside the French Waszp National Championships for even more foiling action.
The Flying Phantom Series will then rejoin the Extreme Sailing Series for the final three Acts of their season. From the 14-17 June Barcelona, Spain will welcome the fleet, before it goes cross-country to the west coast of Portugal from 5-8 July. The season finale, where the champion will be crowned, will take place in the perfect Stadium Racing venue of the Welsh capital, Cardiff, from 24-27 August.
Eight world-class teams from five nations have already entered including the reigning champions from Austria, Red Bull Sailing Team, who return to defend their title.
Also making a repeat appearance is Culture Foil, last year's silver medallists from France; Czech team, Masterlan; German pair, EVO Visian ICL; Portuguese duo, UON and the French team of Idreva Foiling Team.
2018 also sees two new teams step up to the plate. Flying Frogs of France, who raced in the Barcelona and Cardiff events of 2017, join the line-up for the full Series this year as well as the brand new Team France. This features a top pairing from a program that runs from the ENVSN in Quiberon and aims to develop future French inshore, multihull champions.
The scene is set for an epic foiling battle ahead. The racing can be followed through the Extreme Sailing Series and Flying Phantom Series websites and social media pages. Those wanting to see the action first-hand can check out extremesailingseries.com for more details.
2018 Calendar
14 - 17 March - Muscat, Oman
18 - 21 May - Baie de Quiberon, France
14 - 17 June - Barcelona, Spain
5 - 8 July - Portugal
24 - 27 August - Cardiff, UK