Extreme 40's battle it out in Sydney
After cancelling a days racing due to winds in excess of 30 knots, the series was held in world class conditions on Sydney Harbour with the 40ft catamarans flying around the course despite light winds. Surrounded by thousands of spectators, Team Alinghi from Switzerland stole the overall title, standing atop the podium with ‘The Wave, Muscat’ and Realteam’.
“We’ve had an amazing season with an amazing team.” Said Alinghi’s skipper Morgan Larson. “To win the season and the Act on the last day in the conditions we had here in Sydney, which is the best sailing venue in the world, is a special moment that’s going to take a long time to sink in. The level of confidence that we have on our boat just made me realise I can win anything with these guys. This is the best feeling I’ve had all year and probably in the whole of my sailing career, so I’m going to cherish it.”
With such light conditions, ‘light air specialists’ Oman Air, skippered by Aussie Tom Slingsby put on a spectacular performance in the final days racing, scoring 70 out of a possible 90 points. Fellow Aussie Nathan Wilmot, skipper of GAC Pindar suffered a collision with third place winners Realteam, where their rudder was knocked clean off. The lack of control meant a capsize was guaranteed, but all the crew were unhurt, and keen to get back into next years racing.
Now the season is over, it’s a race for the crews to prepare for the 2015 series, which begins in only 48 days! Singapore, Muscat (Oman), Qingdao (China), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Cardiff (UK), Istanbul (Turkey), Sydney (Australia) and Nice on the French Riviera are all on the cards for the upcoming season. It all kicks off on the 5th February in Singapore.
To watch the entire final day of the Extreme Sailing Series in Sydney, Australia, check out the recorded stream right here.
ANGLESEA, VIC
