Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this sailing update. Ed
Over the Bank Holiday weekend the Extreme 40 Series will be in Cardiff for the UK round of this year’s event.
During AAM Cowes Week we spoke with Sarah Ayton who is in Leigh’s team and she told us how she has had to somewhat change her sailing skills when on board the super fast Extreme 40s. She also said that she prefers the close tight circuits of some of the series venues to that of the open sea.
Excitement is building
In Cardiff excitement is building, as the fleet of 11 Extreme 40 catamarans is preparing to bring Stadium Racing to Cardiff Bay, as the headline Act to the Harbour Festival, 22-25 August.
One man who knows the Cardiff stadium better than most is The Wave, Muscat’s skipper, Leigh McMillan having finished first and second in 2013 and 2012 respectively,
“Cardiff as a venue is very tricky racing. With big buildings all around the course, the wind is a big challenge and I am sure this year it won’t fail to deliver a diverse, challenging and exciting event.”
Big crowds create a buzz
In 2013, 120,000 spectators crammed into the Bay to watch the racing, something Leigh relished,
“Having a crowd while racing is a big buzz, and racing on a Bank Holiday in Cardiff will definitely provide an excellent atmosphere to raise the tempo on the racecourse. It should be a lot of fun.”
Crew changes
Cardiff will see significant crew changes for nine of the teams, including the UK home boat, JP Morgan BAR with Ben Ainslie and his team.
Britain’s Paul Campbell-James, twice a winner of the Extreme Sailing Series, has transferred from Team Russia to Ben’s team, replacing Paul Goodison as mainsail trimmer.
Pippa Wilson will also be absent from the line-up for this event, replaced by Welsh sailor Bleddyn Mon, previously on The Wave, Muscat, who is sure to bring in the support of the home crowd.
Looking ahead to the event, Ben Ainslie commented:
“We are expecting some solid, challenging racing on a small, compact racecourse. It’s going to be a tricky venue for the sailing but stadium racing at its best.
“It’s also bank holiday weekend so we are hoping for a strong turn out and are looking forward to racing amongst the home crowds in the heart of the bay.”
Image: © Lloyd Images
