Team Tilt takes top spot in GC32 Worlds whilst SAP Extreme Sailing Team rules the rankings in ESS™

Team Tilt fended off a strong challenge from SAP Extreme Sailing Team in the GC32 World Championship at Garda © Pedro Martinez / GC32 World Championship

It was Swiss success in the first official GC32 World Championship today, as Sébastien Schneiter's Team Tilt took the top spot in Riva del Garda, Italy.

Four days of foiling action on the flat waters of Lake Garda saw 13 GC32 speed machines shoot around the racecourse, all determined to make history as best in class.

Of the regatta's 16 races, only three saw Team Tilt tumble outside the top four, demonstrating the consistent sailing so necessary to win against a fleet of elite level sailors.

"It's a really special feeling, especially as it's our first World Championship title as a team," said an elated Schneiter. "It's pretty cool to share this with all of my mates - it's a really special moment."

It's tough at the top, though. Schneiter and his men were given a run for their money throughout the event by Danish rivals and Extreme Sailing Series™ champions, SAP Extreme Sailing Team. Having excelled on the water on day three – winning three of the five races – the Danes closed the gap on the Swiss, heading into the final day separated only by two points.

A further win straight off the mark on day four stood the Danes in good stead to top the podium. Neck and neck with the Swiss moving into the final races, the pressure mounted. With the wind dwindling, SAP Extreme Sailing Team fell off the pace, finishing the final day of the Championship in a disappointing second place.

"We were equal to Tilt going out into the final races and we just didn't sail that well. Things didn't go our way," explained SAP Extreme Sailing Team helm, Adam Minoprio. "They [Team Tilt] continued to sail exceptionally and they finished a long way ahead of us. So congratulations to them, they sailed extremely well and were consistent throughout the whole regatta."

Despite their defeat in the World Championship, the Danes still have cause for celebration. They now rule the rankings in the Extreme Sailing Series - the regatta in Riva del Garda having been a point scoring event for the seven-stop global circuit that the team regularly competes in.

Their team's skipper, Rasmus Køstner was pleased with the news that they'd taken the lead.

"It's been a great week of sailing here in Riva del Garda, and it's nice to finish it off by topping the Extreme Sailing Series leaderboard. It's quite close though, so there's still a long way to go."

Finishing just behind SAP Extreme Sailing Team was Oman Air, skippered by Kiwi sailor Phil Robertson. Having won the unofficial World Championship last year in Oman, their third place finish was bittersweet.

"We're kind of happy," said the ever optimistic Robertson. "We know we made a lot of mistakes. On two days we left a lot of points on the table which we need to eliminate going forward. We're working hard on that and have had some pretty frank conversations about it, but it's good. We're improving, that's the main thing."

Oman Air's points collated in the Riva event keep them in a comfortable third place in the Extreme Sailing Series, tied for points with Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi - three-time Extreme Sailing Series champions and winners of the 2018 GC32 World Championship Owner Driver competition.

As the fleet leaves the stunning backdrop of northern Italy behind, they look forward to their next Extreme Sailing Series event in Barcelona.

"We're pumped for Barcelona," Robertson enthused. "We won there last year and it was the first event we won together as a team. We have great memories there and we'll try and replicate them, for sure."

The Act takes place from 14-17 June, with the fleet racing close to the shore in front of the famous W Hotel near the Barceloneta district. A free-to-access public Race Village will be available for spectators to enjoy. Those unable to attend can watch the racing LIVE on the Extreme Sailing Series Facebook and Youtube.

2018 GC32 World Championship standings after Day 4, 16 races (27.05.18)

Position / Team / Skipper / Points

1st Team Tilt (SUI) Alex Schneiter 60 points.
2nd SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Køstner 68 points.
3rd Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson 79 points.
4th Alinghi (SUI) Ernesto Bertarelli 88 points.
5th INEOS Rebels UK (GBR) Will Alloway 88 points.
6th NORAUTO (FRA) Franck Cammas 94 points.
7th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara 111 points.
8th Realteam (SUI) Esteban Garcia 129 points.
9th Argo (USA) Jason Carroll 129 points.
10th Frank Racing (NZL) Simon Hull 135 points.
11th Zoulou (FRA) Erik Maris 135 points.
12th Team México (MEX) Erik Brockmann 172 points.
13th.film Racing (AUS) Simon Delzoppo 179 points.

2018 Extreme Sailing Series™ overall standings

Position / Team / Skipper / Points

1st SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Køstner 23 points.
2nd Alinghi (SUI) Ernesto Bertarelli 21 points.
3rd Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson 21 points.
4th INEOS Rebels UK (GBR) Will Alloway 19 points.
5th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara 16 points.
6th Team México (MEX) Erik Brockmann 13 points.