Thanks to Suzanne and Alan Whitewood for this latest update on Leigh McMillan. In their own words. Ed
Although the UK round of the Extreme Sailing Series will be held in Cardiff at the end of August and not in Cowes, there is Island interest still with Olympic Tornado sailor Leigh McMillan as helm on The Wave, Muscat.
Two teams will be representing Oman, Leigh’s and Oman Air. Newcomer American Morgan Larson, with three America’s Cup campaigns under his belt, will take the helm of Oman Air.
Sailing with a new team
“This year I have had the chance to put my own team together which is a great opportunity,” said McMillan who took over the helm of The Wave, Muscat from Torvar Mirsky after Act 2 last year, to finish in 4th place overall with Omani sailor Khamis Al Anbouri on bow.
“It is exciting to be sailing with a new team, and I think we definitely have the potential to get some good results. Our aim is to try and win the Series this year. We are looking forward to some great racing this year, and in some really exciting new venues – it’s going to be a fantastic year.”
A new name for 2012 is ZouLou, headed up by Frenchman Erik Maris. It is not Maris’ first Extreme 40 experience though as he competed in the 2009 series, and this time he will be ably supported by an experienced multihull crew with the added cache of French sailing superstar Loick Peyron, recently returned from setting a new Jules Verne round the world record, as helmsman for at least the first two events in Muscat and Qingdao.
Muscat, Oman hosts the first event starting in five weeks time on 28th February – 2nd March. The Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) is on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula where stark beauty and vastly contrasting landscapes typify an area where arid desert and secret oases contrast with awe-inspiring mountains and a lush shoreline.
