Saturday, 13 April 2013
America's Cup : Swedish Youth Challenge and Artemis Racing Update
by Artemis Racing media
Swedish Youth Challenge coach, Bjorn Johansson, selected Charlie, as helmsman, and Niclas as tactician when declaring their team as a participant in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. Last week, after three selection trials, Bjorn has selected the rest of his Swedish Youth Challenge team. These nine sailors will go on to sail in a DS37 matchrace regatta, May 25-26 and a M32 regatta June 26-30 both in Gothenberg. The final four that will sail onboard Swedish Youth Challenge with Charlie and Niclas will be determined after these two regattas and training in the SeaCart 26's and M32's.
Swedish Youth Challenge Crew List:
With only three months until the start of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series, the team has been busy training and preparing for racing, which begins in San Francisco on July 4th. The team spent the majority of March in the shed modifying our AC72 and turning a standard AC45 into a foiling AC45. We expedited our time to get onto a foiling boat by modifying an AC45 while we wait for our second AC72 which will fully foil.
In April, we will continue to train on the foiling AC45, while also sailing our first AC72 and learning about all its recent modifications. This is a very valuable part of our preparation for our second AC72. We also plan to train with OracleTeamUSA on the Bay to see how our modifications have impacted our boat speed and handling.
Time on the water is crucial for our team so when weather or maintenance permits us from sailing the AC72 or 45 we have a small fleet of F18's and Moths to train on.
While the core team in Alameda is focused on the progression of the AC72 and time on the water for the sailing team, selected team members are preparing for the last America's Cup World Series event of the 2013-2013 season in Naples, Italy. Artemis Racing White will be helmed by Swedish Youth sailor and leading Swedish 49er helmsman, Charlie Ekberg.Containers are already arriving in Naples and being unloaded for the racing which begins April 16th.
Swedish Youth Challenge coach, Bjorn Johansson, selected Charlie, as helmsman, and Niclas as tactician when declaring their team as a participant in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. Last week, after three selection trials, Bjorn has selected the rest of his Swedish Youth Challenge team. These nine sailors will go on to sail in a DS37 matchrace regatta, May 25-26 and a M32 regatta June 26-30 both in Gothenberg. The final four that will sail onboard Swedish Youth Challenge with Charlie and Niclas will be determined after these two regattas and training in the SeaCart 26's and M32's.
Swedish Youth Challenge Crew List:
Andreas Axelsson
Arvid Bildt
Charlie Ekberg Enlund
Jonatan Tengroth Ameln
Niclas Düring
Nils Åkervall
Philip Carlsson
Sofie Düring
Tom Gross
With only three months until the start of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series, the team has been busy training and preparing for racing, which begins in San Francisco on July 4th. The team spent the majority of March in the shed modifying our AC72 and turning a standard AC45 into a foiling AC45. We expedited our time to get onto a foiling boat by modifying an AC45 while we wait for our second AC72 which will fully foil.
In April, we will continue to train on the foiling AC45, while also sailing our first AC72 and learning about all its recent modifications. This is a very valuable part of our preparation for our second AC72. We also plan to train with OracleTeamUSA on the Bay to see how our modifications have impacted our boat speed and handling.
Time on the water is crucial for our team so when weather or maintenance permits us from sailing the AC72 or 45 we have a small fleet of F18's and Moths to train on.
While the core team in Alameda is focused on the progression of the AC72 and time on the water for the sailing team, selected team members are preparing for the last America's Cup World Series event of the 2013-2013 season in Naples, Italy. Artemis Racing White will be helmed by Swedish Youth sailor and leading Swedish 49er helmsman, Charlie Ekberg.Containers are already arriving in Naples and being unloaded for the racing which begins April 16th.
Extreme Sailing Series: SAP Extreme Team on the Rise in Singapore
by Jo Uffendell
The heat was on for the SAP Extreme Sailing Team today in more ways than one as they hit the race course in Singapore for the second day of Act 2 in the Extreme Sailing Series. Spectators visiting Marina Bay were gripped as the competing teams took part in 12 grueling races in temperatures reaching 33 degrees.
Despite the intense heat and shifty winds, strong starts and securing a 2nd place in race 5 have resulted in the SAP Extreme Sailing Team moving up the rankings for the second consecutive day to 5th place on the leader board. The SAP Extreme Sailing Team, who are competing against other world class sailors, know that to get ahead of the pack they need to play it cool and calm when executing maneuvers.
Bowman Nicolai Sehested, the newest recruit to the team having joined earlier in the year, had this to say at the end of today’s racing:
“It’s mixed emotions for me today. We had some solid racing this morning and made good calls tactically which resulted in decent speeds when you consider we had only 4 – 8 knots of wind all day. We forged ahead quite a few times but maybe pushed a bit too hard, too quick and need to keep our cool more to see how it plays out. It will be interesting to see what the SAP analytics reveal tonight when we look at them but my take out from today is that we need to be more consistent in terms of our routine to capitalize on the our leads. That said, we have climbed the leader board and are gaining ground so we are making progress and still have everything to play for over the next two days of racing.”
SAP Extreme Team
Extreme Sailing Series
Congressional Cup : Williams in Semi-Finals; Four Others fight for remaining three places
by Rich Roberts
When's the last time you saw spinnakers raised to start a match race?
Or a leader spin off a penalty at the finish line with his opponent tickling his transom?
Congressional Cup Day 3. Image copyright Rich Roberts/Congressional Cup
Against Baird, both were well above the start line when the Brits hoisted their spinnaker to run back to the line. Baird quickly followed suit but had to circle behind the committee boat to start, sending Williams off with an unbeatable lead.
Great Britain's Ian Williams, 33, and his talented crew offered a match racing clinic on Day 3 of the 49th Congressional Cup Thursday when they pulled off both moves to stretch their win streak to 14 and secure a place in Saturday's semifinals, with Friday's three final round robin flights remaining.
In light southerly breeze of 5 to 8 knots, Italy's Simone Ferrarese also (11-4) won all four of his matches, beating the other three contenders - France's Mathieu Richard (10-5),
Florida's Ed Baird (9-6) and New Zealand's Adam Minoprio (9-6). Those four will scrap it out for the three semifinal spots alongside Williams.
Florida's Ed Baird (9-6) and New Zealand's Adam Minoprio (9-6). Those four will scrap it out for the three semifinal spots alongside Williams.
Minoprio has some special help. His parents are here from New Zealand, rooting for him from the crowd on the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.
"It's always the last day," Ferrarese said with a grin. "Fortunately, we were very fast, and I became a bit more aggressive in the situations where I'm sure I can be."
Williams' run continued against Baird by 49 seconds, Minoprio by three seconds, Australia's Jordan Reece (4-11) by two seconds and Switzerland's Eric Monnin (3-12) by two seconds - the last three close but with the double defending champion and top-ranked match racer in the world in command.
Adam Minoprio (NZL) at the Congressional Cup 2013. Image copyright Rich Roberts/Congressional Cup.
"It's always the last day," Ferrarese said with a grin. "Fortunately, we were very fast, and I became a bit more aggressive in the situations where I'm sure I can be."
Williams' run continued against Baird by 49 seconds, Minoprio by three seconds, Australia's Jordan Reece (4-11) by two seconds and Switzerland's Eric Monnin (3-12) by two seconds - the last three close but with the double defending champion and top-ranked match racer in the world in command.
Against Baird, both were well above the start line when the Brits hoisted their spinnaker to run back to the line. Baird quickly followed suit but had to circle behind the committee boat to start, sending Williams off with an unbeatable lead.
Taylor Canfield, an incoming favorite from the U.S. Virgin Islands who placed third in the Congressional last year and went on to win three events on the Alpari World Mach Racing Tour, continued to struggle with three losses in four races and had only a slim mathematical chance of reaching the sailoffs after slipping to 7-8 overall.
Congressional Cup Day 3. Image copyright Rich Roberts/Congressional Cup
In another race Williams carried a foul and trailed Australia's struggling Reece, passed him on the final leg of the two-lap race but led by just a few feet, bow to stern, near the finish - "right on our transom," Williams said, not enough to execute a normal penalty turn. Instead, Williams dropped his chute, raised his jib and turned to force Reece upwind until he found barely enough room to whip around in his penalty turn alongside the Aussie and cross the line two seconds in front.
Williams is first to point out that he hasn't become a four-time world champion and double defending champion in this event by himself. His crew is tactician Bill Hardesty---US Sailing's Yachtsman of the Year---trimmers Gerry Mitchell, Mal Parker and Mark Callahan and bowman Matt Cassidy.
"They did a nice job of getting it all done," he said.
All he has to do, he said, was "just try to tell them what I want to do a couple of seconds before it happens, so they know what to do."
If the loss was a heart-breaker for Reece, 22, Williams said, "He's young. He'll figure it out for the future."
Congressional Cup Day 3. Image copyright Rich Roberts/Congressional Cup
Local hope Scott Dickson was having a rough week but drew a pre-start foul from Canfield in the day's opening match, led at every mark and never gave his opponent a chance or an opportunity to do his penalty turn.
The two round-robin rotations will be followed by sailoffs through Saturday. Competition is at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier on the Long Beach outer harbor starting at 11:30 a.m. daily, conditions permitting.
The Congressional has a $60,000 purse, including $15,000 to the winner, along with the traditional Crimson Blazer. Financial support is from local, national and international sponsors.
The racing is at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier through Saturday. Admission is free. Bleachers, comfort stations and a snack bar are available. Parking is at the base of the pier, with complimentary golf cart service available from the beach to the end of the pier.
Congressional Cup Day 3. Image copyright Rich Roberts/Congressional Cup
Thursday's Results
Flight 12
Scott Dickson, USA, def. Taylor Canfield, U.S. Virgin Islands, no time.
Ian Williams, Great Britain, def. Ed Baird, USA, 0:49.
Adam Minoprio, New Zealand, def. Eric Monnin, Switzerland, 4 seconds.
Jordan Reece, Australia, def. Laurie Jury, New Zealand, 4 seconds.
Simone Ferrarese, Italy, def. Mathieu Richard, France, 48 seconds.
Flight 13
Williams d. Minoprio, 0:03.
Monnin d. Reece, 1:15.
Richard d. Jury, 0:42.
Ferrarese d. Dickson, 0:17.
Baird d. Canfield, NT.
Flight 14
Jury d. Monnin, 0:30.
Richard d. Dickson, 0:26.
Ferrarese d. Baird, 0:29.
Minoprio d. Canfield, 0:23.
Williams d. Reece, 0:01.
Flight 15
Richard d. Baird, 0:14.
Ferrarese d. Minoprio, 0:19.
Canfield d. Reece, 0:21.
Williams d. Monnin, 0:02.
Jury d. Dickson, 0:03.
Standings
(after 15 of 18 rounds)
1. Williams, 14-12. Ferrarese, 11-4
3. Richard, 10-5
4. tie between Minoprio and Baird, 9-6
6. Canfield, 7-8
by Extreme Sailing Series media
The eight world-class Extreme 40 teams competing under the shadow of some of the best modern architecture in the world on Marina Bay Reservoir at Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series™ felt the pressure -and the heat from the city- turn up a notch today, after a packed 11 race day. After four early morning races, American Morgan Larson and his Swiss team Alinghi had overhauled Leigh McMillan’s The Wave, Muscat who led going into day two and that’s how it remained. But as Larson explained on this race course, that doesn’t mean a thing. “It can be anybody's race at any time. The boundaries keep the fleet tight, and this is any team’s game.”
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
The day’s action began in the morning with the eight Extreme 40 teams sent out to race early to take advantage of the morning breeze before seven races were staged this afternoon. The fleet described the conditions as erratic and challenging, with the breeze funneling between the towering skyscrapers making the racing unpredictable allowing big gains, but also big loses, to be made if teams entered what co-commentator and one of the sports best known sailors Nick Moloney called ‘no man’s land’. With some races lasting less than six minutes, the pre–start sequence became integral on the short stadium race course, and at some point throughout the day nearly all teams caved to the pressure jumping the gun and receiving a starting penalty.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
Only the Danish SAP Extreme Sailing Team kept their bows clean and tactician and co-skipper Rasmus Kostner explained the challenges the fleet face. “Generally I think the wind conditions are changing every 30-40 seconds around the track so it’s really about trying to make the most out of the situations you're in and to try to think what's going to happen long-term, but it's just really, really difficult. We actually love it! (the short/tight course). It's full of action and I think the area we're in is just great, it's perfect as you can see a lot of people on the shore, so sailing close to the spectators it's just great.” Kostner and his Danish team finish the day in fifth place, and within striking distance of the podium.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
Despite three races wins by defending Series champions The Wave, Muscat, by skipper Leigh McMillan’s standards it was a disappointing day, ending with a 12 point deficit to Alinghi. Red Bull Sailing Team were back on form after spluttering a little yesterday to wrap up the day in third place, 13 points behind McMillan.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
The ever-improving invitational home team Team Aberdeen Singapore, with Extreme 40 veteran Rob Greenhalgh at the helm, upped their game today showing they can mix it up and challenge the full Series teams, consistently posting top three results including a race win. Greenhalgh, who won the first ever Extreme Sailing Series, was however realistic about their chances here racing against the more experienced and highly competitive top-level sailors. “The racing here is extremely close and competitive. The small mistakes turn into big mistakes. We are gelling as a crew and of course there are challenges – certain things only come from sailing together as a team a lot. We are finding our feet and and we're starting to get better, and maybe tomorrow, you never know, we might be that little bit better again.”
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
The young team Kiwi skippers Will Tiller and Peter Burling were out to prove a point here in Singapore today and both are eying the podium in what is only their second ever Extreme 40 Act. Will Tiller’s GAC Pindar scored two bullets, leaving them tied on points with Red Bull Sailing Team, while Burling’s team were rewarded after a tough day on the water claiming honours in the Aberdeen Asset Management Challenge Trophy knock out series.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
Tomorrow (Saturday 13th April) the NeilPryde Windsurf Racing Series starts as the main warm-up act with local windsurfers including Audrey Yong, 2010 bronze medallist from the Youth Olympics, taking to the waters of Marina Bay. One thing is for sure: there will be plenty of moves on the water, as well as on the leaderboard over the next two days.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
Saturday and Sunday’s racing will be broadcast live on the official website at the amended time of 1700-1830 daily local time (1100-1230 European time) and live to homes around Singapore on national broadcaster Starhub Supersports Arena.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 2 Day 2, Singapore. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
Extreme Sailing Series 2013 Act 2, Singapore standings after Day 2, 15 races Position / Team / Points
1st Alinghi (SUI) Morgan Larson, Stuart Pollard, Pierre-Yves Jorand, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 122 points.
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) Leigh McMillan, Ed Smyth, Pete Greenhalgh, Musab Al Hadi, Hashim Al Rashdi 110 points.
3rd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Matthew Adams, Pierre Le Clainche, Graeme Spence 97 points.
4th GAC Pindar (NZL) Will Tiller, Brad Farrand, Stewart Dodson, Harry Thurston, Matt Steven 97 points.
5th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Jes Gram-Hansen, Rasmus Kostner, Pete Cumming, Mikkel Røssberg, Nicolai Sehested 94 points.
6th Team Korea (KOR) Peter Burling, Blair Tuke, Mark Bulkeley, Sungwok Kim, Sung Ahn Jung 93 points.
7th Realteam (SUI) Jérome Clerc, Bruno Barbarin, Arnaud Psarofaghis, Cédric Schmidt, Bryan Mettraux 84 points.
8th Team Aberdeen Singapore (SIN) Scott Glen Sydney, Robert Greenhalgh, Andrew Walsh, Justin Wong, Rick Peacock 83 points.
Extreme Sailing Series
by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson
François Paul Toléde, Les Voiles de St. Barth Event Director was enjoying the festivities with the competitors. “It's a beautiful day and one that is not dedicated to just racing for the crew,” he said. “The objective is to provide a good atmosphere and some fun with some organised water sports for all, so that everyone gets a chance to unwind and enjoy the hospitality both on the water and ashore."
Water polo. Image copyright Christophe Jouany/Les Voiles de St Barth.
At Baie de St. Jean, along with 250-300 sailors, were the event sponsors, including guests from luxury watchmaker Richard Mille and sportswear brand Gaastra. As part of the latter company’s sponsorship, an extensive Les Voiles de St. Barth clothing range has been made available in Gaastra franchises.
Emanuel Galle, Director General of Gaastra France commented, "We have been involved with Les Voiles de St. Barth as a sponsor for the past three editions for both the competition on the water and the conviviality on shore. It is an important association for us, as we are a nautical brand, founded in 1897. It is great to see so many teams wearing the clothing this week.”
Racing at Les Voiles de St. Barth continues tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday for the 58 boats competing. The first warning signal is at 10 a.m.
Les Voiles de St Barth
Image copyright Tim Wright/Les Voiles de St Barth.
by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson
Having been given plenty of time on yesterday’s longer courses to sort out their crew work, sail selection, tactics and sunscreen, sailors took to the turquoise seas off the French West Indies island of St. Barth for a second round of competition today at Les Voiles de St. Barth. With the first day down and competition defined, now it was time to fine-tune and sort out standings.
The race committee selected three courses: 22 nautical miles for Classics, Non-Spinnaker, Spinnaker 3 and Melges 24 classes; 27 nm for Spinnaker 1, Spinnaker 2, and Multihulls; and 29 nm for Maxis. All three courses took the boats out and around the northern end of St. Barths and the outlying islands. The southeasterly breeze was more sustained today at around 18 knots, with gusts to 20, which on the windward-side of the island produced large swells.
Image copyright Rim Wright/Les Voiles de St Barth.
Les Voiles de St. Barth attracts a good mix of amateurs and professional sailors as well as some sailors who aren’t often seen at “around the buoys” type racing. Marc Guillemot, the respected single-handed offshore sailor who has competed in numerous ‘round-the-world and transatlantic races, found himself in much less stressful conditions, sailing onboard Patrick Demarchelier’s Swan 53 Puffy (USA). “Normally I am on very light boats that maneuver very easily,” Guillemot said, “and today I was driving a boat that is roughly four times heavier than mine! (This one is roughly 28 tons and Safran (his IMOCA 60) is 7.5 tons.)
“I have been lucky enough to have sailed here a few times and it helps to know where the winds are more or less favorable,” continued Guillemot. “Knowing the lay of the land is important, as it also allows you to negotiate the best way round the course. Personally, this week I am here to enjoy the racing and have some fun, and if we finish first or second, it is not going to make a huge difference…well, maybe for the crew it will!”
Image copyright Tim Wright/Les Voiles de St Barth.
Matthew Sheahan, Racing Editor for Yachting World is in St. Barth for the first time and was clearly enjoying a busman’s holiday racing on Jolt 2 (GBR) in the Spinnaker 1 class.
Sheahan described the conditions, particularly the upwind legs on the windward side: “There was a lot of breeze, and it was quite hard work actually going upwind. Having not done this event before and having not been to Saint Barth and then doing that leg just characterizes my initial thoughts that the event is great, but it is quite a punchy part of the Caribbean. The last time I was around here was on the Caribbean 600 and that was punchy as well, so it is not a soft option coming here!
“It is an absolutely beautiful island,” Sheehan added, “and I can see why so many people rave about it. It is something special in the Caribbean. The racing is good, the courses are good, it is well organized and you get a decent beat off the start.”
Racing in Spinnaker 1 class is tight: the current leader is Steve Cucchiaro’s Defiance, with James Blakemore’s Swan 53 Music in second, and Phil and Wendy Lotz’ Swan 42 Arethusa in third.
Image copyright Tim Wright/Les Voiles de St Barth.
In the Spinnaker 2 class, the current leader is Sergio Saramoso’s Lazy Dog (PUR), while in second place is the chartered First 40Ramanessin (IRE). Nigel Young, owner of North Sails Ireland, is tactician onboard, and just as importantly, he is the program manager. He explained he was tasked with putting a charter together for a friend of a friend who is a motor racing enthusiast, new to sailing and interested in having a go at sailing.
Young wanted to find somewhere warm for the first event, he said. “We could have gone to Ireland which is where I am from, but I did not want to put everyone off as it can be pretty miserable. We looked at options of regattas and when I put forward Saint Barth, the decision was made in 20 seconds.” The group seems to have gelled nicely, as they have gotten the boat around the race course in second place twice in two races.
“I have raced everywhere but never in the Caribbean and we definitely would like to come back next year,” said Young. “Most of the sailing we would be doing now would be windward/leeward style on very accurate set race courses, so doing this kind or racing around natural objects is really interesting. The boat owner, Lucy, is actually a great navigator, so it is making my job on the tactics and strategy very easy. She is right on it.”
Tonight is the crew party at Shell Beach, with video, music and fireworks. Tomorrow (Thursday) is a lay day for the competitors, with stand up paddle board races and other shoreside festivities at Nikki Beach on St. Jean Bay.
Racing continues on Friday and Saturday, with the warning signal at 10 a.m. on both days.
Overall (1st, 2nd, 3rd) after two races:
IRC 52: Vesper (USA), Varuna (GER)
MAXI: Selene (USA), Whisper (IRE), Idea (GBR)
SPIN 1: Defiance (USA), Arethusa (USA), Music (GBR)
SPIN 2: Lazy Dog (PUR), Ramanessin (IRE), Northern Child (GBR)
SPIN 3: Credit Mutuel Martinique Premiere (FRA), Maelia (SBH), Speedy Nemo (SBH)
NON-SPIN: L’Esperance (SXM), High Tension (ANT) Shamrock VII (USA)
MELGES 24: Budget Marine/Gill (SXM), Team Island Water World (SXM), French Connection (SBH)
MULTIHULL: Paradox (CAY), Dauphin Telecom (SBH), Plan D’Enfer YCSF
CLASSICS: Heroina (USA), Wild Horses (USA), Saphaedra (USA).
Find full race results on the event website at http://www.lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com
7. tie among Reece, Dickson and Jury, 4-11
10. Monnin, 3-12.
Extreme Sailing Series : Alinghi Move Into Pole Position in Singapore
Alinghi in the lead after day 2. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series.
by Extreme Sailing Series media
The eight world-class Extreme 40 teams competing under the shadow of some of the best modern architecture in the world on Marina Bay Reservoir at Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series™ felt the pressure -and the heat from the city- turn up a notch today, after a packed 11 race day. After four early morning races, American Morgan Larson and his Swiss team Alinghi had overhauled Leigh McMillan’s The Wave, Muscat who led going into day two and that’s how it remained. But as Larson explained on this race course, that doesn’t mean a thing. “It can be anybody's race at any time. The boundaries keep the fleet tight, and this is any team’s game.”
The day’s action began in the morning with the eight Extreme 40 teams sent out to race early to take advantage of the morning breeze before seven races were staged this afternoon. The fleet described the conditions as erratic and challenging, with the breeze funneling between the towering skyscrapers making the racing unpredictable allowing big gains, but also big loses, to be made if teams entered what co-commentator and one of the sports best known sailors Nick Moloney called ‘no man’s land’. With some races lasting less than six minutes, the pre–start sequence became integral on the short stadium race course, and at some point throughout the day nearly all teams caved to the pressure jumping the gun and receiving a starting penalty.
Only the Danish SAP Extreme Sailing Team kept their bows clean and tactician and co-skipper Rasmus Kostner explained the challenges the fleet face. “Generally I think the wind conditions are changing every 30-40 seconds around the track so it’s really about trying to make the most out of the situations you're in and to try to think what's going to happen long-term, but it's just really, really difficult. We actually love it! (the short/tight course). It's full of action and I think the area we're in is just great, it's perfect as you can see a lot of people on the shore, so sailing close to the spectators it's just great.” Kostner and his Danish team finish the day in fifth place, and within striking distance of the podium.
Despite three races wins by defending Series champions The Wave, Muscat, by skipper Leigh McMillan’s standards it was a disappointing day, ending with a 12 point deficit to Alinghi. Red Bull Sailing Team were back on form after spluttering a little yesterday to wrap up the day in third place, 13 points behind McMillan.
The ever-improving invitational home team Team Aberdeen Singapore, with Extreme 40 veteran Rob Greenhalgh at the helm, upped their game today showing they can mix it up and challenge the full Series teams, consistently posting top three results including a race win. Greenhalgh, who won the first ever Extreme Sailing Series, was however realistic about their chances here racing against the more experienced and highly competitive top-level sailors. “The racing here is extremely close and competitive. The small mistakes turn into big mistakes. We are gelling as a crew and of course there are challenges – certain things only come from sailing together as a team a lot. We are finding our feet and and we're starting to get better, and maybe tomorrow, you never know, we might be that little bit better again.”
The young team Kiwi skippers Will Tiller and Peter Burling were out to prove a point here in Singapore today and both are eying the podium in what is only their second ever Extreme 40 Act. Will Tiller’s GAC Pindar scored two bullets, leaving them tied on points with Red Bull Sailing Team, while Burling’s team were rewarded after a tough day on the water claiming honours in the Aberdeen Asset Management Challenge Trophy knock out series.
Tomorrow (Saturday 13th April) the NeilPryde Windsurf Racing Series starts as the main warm-up act with local windsurfers including Audrey Yong, 2010 bronze medallist from the Youth Olympics, taking to the waters of Marina Bay. One thing is for sure: there will be plenty of moves on the water, as well as on the leaderboard over the next two days.
Saturday and Sunday’s racing will be broadcast live on the official website at the amended time of 1700-1830 daily local time (1100-1230 European time) and live to homes around Singapore on national broadcaster Starhub Supersports Arena.
Extreme Sailing Series 2013 Act 2, Singapore standings after Day 2, 15 races Position / Team / Points
1st Alinghi (SUI) Morgan Larson, Stuart Pollard, Pierre-Yves Jorand, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 122 points.
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) Leigh McMillan, Ed Smyth, Pete Greenhalgh, Musab Al Hadi, Hashim Al Rashdi 110 points.
3rd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Matthew Adams, Pierre Le Clainche, Graeme Spence 97 points.
4th GAC Pindar (NZL) Will Tiller, Brad Farrand, Stewart Dodson, Harry Thurston, Matt Steven 97 points.
5th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Jes Gram-Hansen, Rasmus Kostner, Pete Cumming, Mikkel Røssberg, Nicolai Sehested 94 points.
6th Team Korea (KOR) Peter Burling, Blair Tuke, Mark Bulkeley, Sungwok Kim, Sung Ahn Jung 93 points.
7th Realteam (SUI) Jérome Clerc, Bruno Barbarin, Arnaud Psarofaghis, Cédric Schmidt, Bryan Mettraux 84 points.
8th Team Aberdeen Singapore (SIN) Scott Glen Sydney, Robert Greenhalgh, Andrew Walsh, Justin Wong, Rick Peacock 83 points.
Extreme Sailing Series
Les Voiles de St Barth : Down Time
Day off in St Barth. Image copyright Christophe Jouany/Les Voiles de St Barth
After two long days with plenty of racing, the Les Voiles de St. Barth competitors enjoyed a “lay day” today. It gave the 700 plus sailors a chance to see more of the island they had been sailing around the previous days and enjoy some of St. Barth’s other offerings, which, not surprisingly, could be found at the famously popular Nikki Beach, located on Baie de St. Jean on the island’s eastern side. The regatta’s organizers, knowing sailors to be a competitive group, orchestrated a chance to engage in other sporting pursuits such as stand-up paddle boarding and – a new addition this year – water polo.
At Baie de St. Jean, along with 250-300 sailors, were the event sponsors, including guests from luxury watchmaker Richard Mille and sportswear brand Gaastra. As part of the latter company’s sponsorship, an extensive Les Voiles de St. Barth clothing range has been made available in Gaastra franchises.
Emanuel Galle, Director General of Gaastra France commented, "We have been involved with Les Voiles de St. Barth as a sponsor for the past three editions for both the competition on the water and the conviviality on shore. It is an important association for us, as we are a nautical brand, founded in 1897. It is great to see so many teams wearing the clothing this week.”
Racing at Les Voiles de St. Barth continues tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday for the 58 boats competing. The first warning signal is at 10 a.m.
Les Voiles de St Barth
Les Voiles de St Barth : Finding the Groove
by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson
Having been given plenty of time on yesterday’s longer courses to sort out their crew work, sail selection, tactics and sunscreen, sailors took to the turquoise seas off the French West Indies island of St. Barth for a second round of competition today at Les Voiles de St. Barth. With the first day down and competition defined, now it was time to fine-tune and sort out standings.
The race committee selected three courses: 22 nautical miles for Classics, Non-Spinnaker, Spinnaker 3 and Melges 24 classes; 27 nm for Spinnaker 1, Spinnaker 2, and Multihulls; and 29 nm for Maxis. All three courses took the boats out and around the northern end of St. Barths and the outlying islands. The southeasterly breeze was more sustained today at around 18 knots, with gusts to 20, which on the windward-side of the island produced large swells.
Les Voiles de St. Barth attracts a good mix of amateurs and professional sailors as well as some sailors who aren’t often seen at “around the buoys” type racing. Marc Guillemot, the respected single-handed offshore sailor who has competed in numerous ‘round-the-world and transatlantic races, found himself in much less stressful conditions, sailing onboard Patrick Demarchelier’s Swan 53 Puffy (USA). “Normally I am on very light boats that maneuver very easily,” Guillemot said, “and today I was driving a boat that is roughly four times heavier than mine! (This one is roughly 28 tons and Safran (his IMOCA 60) is 7.5 tons.)
“I have been lucky enough to have sailed here a few times and it helps to know where the winds are more or less favorable,” continued Guillemot. “Knowing the lay of the land is important, as it also allows you to negotiate the best way round the course. Personally, this week I am here to enjoy the racing and have some fun, and if we finish first or second, it is not going to make a huge difference…well, maybe for the crew it will!”
Matthew Sheahan, Racing Editor for Yachting World is in St. Barth for the first time and was clearly enjoying a busman’s holiday racing on Jolt 2 (GBR) in the Spinnaker 1 class.
Sheahan described the conditions, particularly the upwind legs on the windward side: “There was a lot of breeze, and it was quite hard work actually going upwind. Having not done this event before and having not been to Saint Barth and then doing that leg just characterizes my initial thoughts that the event is great, but it is quite a punchy part of the Caribbean. The last time I was around here was on the Caribbean 600 and that was punchy as well, so it is not a soft option coming here!
“It is an absolutely beautiful island,” Sheehan added, “and I can see why so many people rave about it. It is something special in the Caribbean. The racing is good, the courses are good, it is well organized and you get a decent beat off the start.”
Racing in Spinnaker 1 class is tight: the current leader is Steve Cucchiaro’s Defiance, with James Blakemore’s Swan 53 Music in second, and Phil and Wendy Lotz’ Swan 42 Arethusa in third.
In the Spinnaker 2 class, the current leader is Sergio Saramoso’s Lazy Dog (PUR), while in second place is the chartered First 40Ramanessin (IRE). Nigel Young, owner of North Sails Ireland, is tactician onboard, and just as importantly, he is the program manager. He explained he was tasked with putting a charter together for a friend of a friend who is a motor racing enthusiast, new to sailing and interested in having a go at sailing.
Young wanted to find somewhere warm for the first event, he said. “We could have gone to Ireland which is where I am from, but I did not want to put everyone off as it can be pretty miserable. We looked at options of regattas and when I put forward Saint Barth, the decision was made in 20 seconds.” The group seems to have gelled nicely, as they have gotten the boat around the race course in second place twice in two races.
“I have raced everywhere but never in the Caribbean and we definitely would like to come back next year,” said Young. “Most of the sailing we would be doing now would be windward/leeward style on very accurate set race courses, so doing this kind or racing around natural objects is really interesting. The boat owner, Lucy, is actually a great navigator, so it is making my job on the tactics and strategy very easy. She is right on it.”
Tonight is the crew party at Shell Beach, with video, music and fireworks. Tomorrow (Thursday) is a lay day for the competitors, with stand up paddle board races and other shoreside festivities at Nikki Beach on St. Jean Bay.
Racing continues on Friday and Saturday, with the warning signal at 10 a.m. on both days.
Overall (1st, 2nd, 3rd) after two races:
IRC 52: Vesper (USA), Varuna (GER)
MAXI: Selene (USA), Whisper (IRE), Idea (GBR)
SPIN 1: Defiance (USA), Arethusa (USA), Music (GBR)
SPIN 2: Lazy Dog (PUR), Ramanessin (IRE), Northern Child (GBR)
SPIN 3: Credit Mutuel Martinique Premiere (FRA), Maelia (SBH), Speedy Nemo (SBH)
NON-SPIN: L’Esperance (SXM), High Tension (ANT) Shamrock VII (USA)
MELGES 24: Budget Marine/Gill (SXM), Team Island Water World (SXM), French Connection (SBH)
MULTIHULL: Paradox (CAY), Dauphin Telecom (SBH), Plan D’Enfer YCSF
CLASSICS: Heroina (USA), Wild Horses (USA), Saphaedra (USA).
Find full race results on the event website at http://www.lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com
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