ECOVER in Trapani. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
by Lucy Harwood
Day two of the Extreme Sailing Series in Trapani was full of action as the fleet headed out in 20 to 25 knot conditions, teams experienced a tough ride out on the race course with gusts of up to 30 knots hitting the fleet. Today was full of contrast to yesterday's blue skies, sunshine and moderate conditions. Race organisers decided that the fleet would race under one reef due to the extreme breeze and no fifth men would be allowed onboard.
For Ecover it was a challenging day on the water, despite a second and third place in two races, three back of the fleet finishes have meant they have fallen behind on the leaderboard and must now work hard to close the 18 point gap to the top spot, but third place is just seven points away and there is everything to play for with two more days of racing. The Wave, Muscat pulled out a great performance dominating the race course as they battled it out with overall series leader Groupe Edmond De Rothschild. The massive gusts today saw the skippers facing close calls all over the race course as they battled to keep the boats under control. Red Bull, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild and Groupama all recovered from potentially disastrous pitch poles. But it was 2009 champions Oman Sail Masirah who had the closest call today, with skipper Loick Peyron pulling off an amazing performance to recover from a potential capsize as they a pitch poled in race five.
"No question about it, it was a very difficult day out there. I think Leigh and Will did a great job of keeping the boat on its feet, as they have the biggest control over that. Tactically today we just didn't get it quite right, I don't think there was anything massively wrong onboard today in terms of team work or anything else but it just wasn't our day. I'm pleased we're back on the dock tied up and in one piece. We've lost a few points today which is frustrating, but there are still two days left and we just need to focus on our performance over the next couple of days and make sure we get it right," Ecover skipper Mike Golding.
"For us, even when we had really good start we got pinned down by boats just behind us which meant we were effectively penned in leaving us no room to tack away and get across those boats. We found ourselves with no where to go and ultimately pushed out to the corners of the course. That lost us lots of ground which was incredibly frustrating for us and meant we have slipped from third to fifth on the leaderboard going into day three. The Wave, Muscat really showed everyone how it should be done today, they got a string of bullets and some seconds all as a result of dominating the starts. That's what it was all about, so we'll take a little note out of their book and hopefully do the same tomorrow," Ecover helm Leigh McMillan.
Video of Red Bull hitting the stern of ECOVER during race 5 on Day 2:
DAY TWO OVERVIEW
Race 1 - It was a tough start for Ecover who were forced to play catch up on race one after they were given an OCS on the line. It was a fight to claw back places after they were forced back across the start line. But the team were given a redress after the on the water referees did not drop the OCS flag upon completion their penalty, costing them valuable time on the water, and they were moved up to fifth.
Race 2 - A clean start off the line, Ecover headed onto starboard as they chased the two Oman boats to the top mark. Current event leaders Groupe Edmond de Rothschild had a bad start and struggled to gain any advantage finishing sixth. A welcome result for Ecover who finished third and closed the gap to the overall lead.
Races 3 & 4 - It continued to be a challenging and frustrating day for the British team as they struggled on the starts to find a way into clean air and some separation from the tight pack of boats. They were forced to play catch up at the back of the fleet, the results cost them dearly as the top boats pulled away on the leaderboard and Ecover moved to fifth some 18 points behind the new event leader The Wave, Muscat.
Race 5 – The most exciting race of the day; multiple gusts of over 30 knots filled the race course, as the two Oman boats led the fleet around the top mark. They chose the risky move to hoist their gennaker on the downwind leg, it proved a massive test for Loick Peyron skipper of Oman Sail Masirah as the boat was caught in a massive gust whilst they were furling their gennaker as they approached the bottom mark. The crew battled with the boat as it pitch poled, just managing to bring it back under control and avoiding a near capsize. Ecover capitalised on this moving into third as they headed back upwind on lap two. Sailing a great race they moved to second at the top mark securing crucial points to close the gap to the top three boats.
Race 6 – The final race of the day saw a call from the race organisers to ban the use of gennakers during the race. Ecover had a clean start and pushed hard to stay with the leading boats. It was a close fight with Groupama for third as they headed to the line, but they were pipped at the post and forced to settle for fourth.
Extreme 40s in Trapani. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
At the end of day two, The Wave, Muscat have an eleven-point cushion from joint second placed Groupe Edmond de Rothschild and Groupama. Ecover remains in close contention to second just seven points behind and with everything to play going into day three. The teams will not be given a respite from conditions tomorrow, as the current forecast predicts, rain, thunderstorms, the potential for gusts of over 30 knots.
Current overall standings after Day 2 - Stage 4 Trapani
1 The Wave Muscat - 67 points
2 Groupe Edmond De Rothschild - 56 points
3 Groupama 40 - 56 points
4 Oman Sail Masirah - 54 points
5 Ecover Sailing Team - 49 points
6 Red Bull Extreme Sailing - 40 points
7 Trapani, The Sailing Seacily - 14 points
ECOVER Sailing Team
Extreme Sailing Series Europe
