ith two events to go until the finish of the 2018 series and just a few points difference between the top teams contesting the Extreme Sailing Series, the pressure was beginning to build as all seven teams prepared for the Cardiff Act.
W
The high profile global tour, now in its 12th season, and raced for in super-fast, foiling GC32 catamarans by some of the biggest names in yacht racing, descended on the City of Cardiff from 24-27 August, before heading further afield to San Diego, USA, and Los Cabos, Mexico for the final two acts to decide the overall winner of the 2018 Extreme Sailing Series trophy.
Although the 18ft Skiffs that race in Sydney Harbour were among the first to run spectator style sailing events over short courses, the Extreme Sailing Series, which made its debut in 2007, is now the most established stadium racing sailing circuit event in the world. With the aim to deliver high-performance thrilling racing close to shore, with spectators at the heart of the battle, the Extreme Sailing Series has succeeded in bringing sailing to the people.
As well as huge numbers that turn out for the events, this commercially driven global circuit that spans three continents and includes events in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas over a 10-month period, reaches a global TV audience to give maximum exposure.
To enrich the whole stadium-style racing experience further, a class of slightly smaller but no less exciting Flying Phantom foiling catamarans was introduced to the event in 2017 to run alongside the Extreme Sailing Series events. With eight world- class teams from five nations contesting this super-competitive series, there will doubtless be plenty of thrills to be had in this class too, at Cardiff.
THE CARDIFF LEG
Having led the fleet of super-fast, hydro- foiling GC32 catamarans on every single day of racing in Cascais, Portugal in the previous Act, Swiss team Alinghi were in pole position as these super-charged teams head to Cardiff.
Over 90,000 spectators turned out over the weekend to watch the international GC32 fleet in action in Stadium Racing on Cardiff Bay, and were rewarded with six nail-biting races and a mixed bag of weather conditions. Cardiff delivered all it had over the course of the weekend. From glorious sunshine to strong winds and torrential
rain, the teams were pushed to the limit as they navigated the tricky course in ever changing weather conditions.
Having climbed the ladder throughout the Extreme Sailing Series, Alinghi – the Swiss kings of foiling seized victory from the clutches of SAP Extreme Sailing Team on the final day of the event.
A third place finish saw them crush SAP Extreme Sailing Team’s hopes of an Act victory, securing Alinghi’s fourth Act win of the season – the first time the Swiss have won in Cardiff in the six years that they’ve competed in this Welsh capital.
LEADERBOARD AFTER CARDIFF ALINGHI (SWISS) 57 SAP (DENMARK) 55 OMAN AIR (OMAN) 51 INEOS (UK) 46
RED BULL (AUSTRIA) 41 TEAM MEXICO (MEXICO) 35
FINAL EVENTS IN THE SERIES
18-21 October San Diego, USA
29 November-2 December Los Cabos, Mexico
ONBOARD | AUTUMN 2018 | 77
©LLoyd Images Extreme sailing series
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