Thanks as always to Suzanne and Alan for this sailing update. Ed
Eight short, sharp, fast paced races were sailed on day one of Act 8 of the Extreme 40 Sailing Series 2013 with four different race winners. Oman’s ‘The Wave, Muscat ‘ skippered by Island sailor Leigh McMillan blasted round the tight courses, reaching speeds of 24 knots and relishing the conditions that put Leigh’s men at the top of the rankings at the end of day one.
Top racing between long-standing series rivals The Wave, Muscat and Swiss team Alinghi was evident, and the teams looked ahead to Sunday night when the 2013 Series champion would be crowned. Morgan Larson and the team of Swiss sailors matched Leigh’s two race wins on day one but the Omani team had the edge and finished the day five points ahead.
Leigh, The Wave, Muscat skipper said
“We very much had our own game plan today and there was a few times we could take the opportunity to engage with Alinghi, we took those opportunities and they did the same with us. I think they were in the same frame of mind as us, they raced their own race like we did and when the opportunity was there it got quite exciting with a few touch and go moments!”
Windy Day Two
Three full races were sailed on day two before gusts of 35 knots and a turning tide quashed proceedings. The Wave, Muscat maintained their pole position secured by a win in the first race of the day.
Leigh, who has sailed in the Series since 2009, said:
“Today was definitely up there with some of the biggest days on the circuit. It was full on but enjoyable! The conditions were very extreme, it was windy but we were just happy we were doing the right thing during racing. We were getting around the course and still pushing hard.”
At the end of day two points were as follows: First: The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 95 points. Second: Alinghi (SUI) 86 points and 3rd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 81 points.
Action packed Day Three
Another action-packed, full pressure day for day three with, in the seventh race, the SAP Extreme Sailing Team Extreme 40 hit by the biggest gust of the day, causing the boat to trip over its bows and capsize.
Their mainsail trimmer Pete Cumming fell the full height of the boat, landing on the boom and suffered some bruising to his ribs, but the crew was soon back on shore and the boat was raised up. It was a busy night in the pitlane to try and get SAP Extreme Sailing Team back racing.
Points were now First: The Wave, Muscat 156 points, Second: Alinghi 153 points, Third: Red Bull Sailing Team 146 points.
Perfect breeze for Day Four
On day four under brilliant Brazilian sunshine and with a perfect 10 knots of breeze, Leigh McMillan, Ed Smyth, Pete Greenhalgh, Hashim Al Rashidi and Musab Al Hadi on The Wave, Muscat were leading the fleet as they went into the final double points race, but out to upset were the Swiss on Alinghi.
After some very close racing a second place in the final race was enough for Morgan Larson and the Swiss team to snatch the Act victory from Leigh’s grasp. However, Leigh and his team proved unstoppable and It was a fitting finish for the series when the two rivals tied on points – the first time in the history of the series that two teams have been tied at the end of the year. The Wave, Muscat came out on top after Act win countback.
Leigh said,
“This is exactly how I thought the end result would go! We haven’t been able to shake Alinghi all year, they haven’t really put a foot wrong!
“We knew they were going to do everything possible, the last few days they’ve been absolutely hammering us around the racecourse. They did an exceptional job in that last race getting in front and we were just lucky we just got the right corner of the course and the shift was big enough that we were able to keep in the game! It’s a massive relief for what has been a couple of emotional days!”
Red Bull Sailing Team
There was also jubilation dockside for Red Bull Sailing Team, who had done enough going into the final race to secure third place on the overall Series leaderboard – the first time they have stood on the Series podium in four years on the circuit.
This Series has been on a whirlwind tour of the world and Leigh’s team have proved themselves a force to be reckoned with, picking up five Act wins. After 190 races which have attracted 325,000 on site spectators.
Mark Turner, Executive Chairman of Series organisers OC Sport reflected on a successful 2013 and looked ahead to an even bigger 2014,
“For us, 2013 has been a hugely significant year. First with the signing of our Series Main Partner Land Rover and also in terms of the sporting level which has gone to another level this year as we saw today with the incredible fight for the podium. Next year is going to be one of the most exciting Series to date – we have some venues returning , as well as venturing into new territories that will take us to four continents”
Leigh becomes first skipper to win the Series twice.
Result of Brazil Act
1st Alinghi (SUI) 219 points.
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 215 points.
3rd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 208 points
Series Result
1st The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 74 points.
2nd Alinghi (SUI) 74 points.
3rd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 61 points.
4th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 51 points.
5th Realteam (SUI) 49 points.
6th GAC Pindar (NZL) 42 points.
7th Team X Invitational 34 points.
8th Team Korea (KOR) 16 points.
