Leigh McMillan at the helm of ECOVER in the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series, with Will Howden (now on Red Bull Extreme Sailing). Image copyright Anne Hinton - all rights reserved.
by Nicky Moore
British two time Olympian Leigh McMillan will step into the fray as the skipper of Oman Sail’s Extreme 40, The Wave Muscat for the remainder of the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series.
The switch follows the announcement that the young Australian skipper Torvar Mirsky will be stepping down from the position to take up the exciting new role as helmsman of the Italian America’s Cup team, Venezia Challenge. He will now concentrate on the teams AC45 programme and compete in the America’s Cup World Series.
Torvar Mirsky joined Oman Sail at the beginning of 2011 as the new young gun from the world of match racing. He has shown incredible determination and skill as skipper of The Wave, Muscat and has provided some of the most exciting racing during this year’s Extreme Sailing Series, including a spectacular capsize in Qingdao, China, earlier this year.
Leigh McMillan helmed Ecover to a third place finish at the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series and will now take on the role as the new skipper of The Wave, Muscat. Leigh has represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games in the Tornado and is a multihull expert. Leigh has been coaching The Wave, Muscat throughout the 2011 season.
Leigh is no stranger to sailing under the Omani flag – in 2009 he took the helm on Oman Sail Masirah in the 2009 Extreme Sailing Series Asia, winning the Series. He will take his place aboard The Wave, Muscat in Boston, USA for Act 4, which takes place from the 30 June-4 July.
He is a disciplined and dedicated sailor who has risen through the ranks of the sport and emerged as one of the most exciting multi-hull sailors on the circuit, posting an impressive 7 podium places in 2010 Extreme Sailing Series.
Leigh has a great sense of calm and a natural ability to keep a level head during the high-speed thrills of racing on-board an Extreme 40. In fact, he is no stranger to sailing under the Omani flag – in 2009 he took the helm on Oman Red in the 2009 Extreme Sailing Series Asia and won the series!
Date of Birth: 24/10/1980
Position: Skipper
Nationality: British
Hometown: Newport, Isle of Wight
Extreme40 Racing
2006 Rio De Jenero EX40 2nd
2006 Portsmouth EX40 2nd
2006 Rotterdam EX40 1st
2006 Overall Extreme 40 Circuit 2nd
2009 Hong Kong Extreme Asia series 1st
2009 Singapore Extreme Asia series 1st
2010 Oman Extreme Asia series 1st
2009-10 Overall Extreme series 1st
2010 “Sete” Extreme sailing series 4nd
2010 “Cowes” Extreme sailing series 2nd
2010 “Kiel” Extreme sailing series 2rd
2010 “Trapani” Extreme sailing series 3rd
2010 “Almeria” Extreme sailing series 3rd
2010 Overall Extreme Sailing Series 3rd
Oman Sail have enjoyed working with Torvar who has shown himself as such a bright star in the sport and wish him good luck in what is a great opportunity with the Venezia Challenge Team.
2011 Extreme Sailing Series Calendar & Host Venues:
Act 1: 20-24 February, Muscat, Oman
Act 2: 13-17 April, China
Act 3: 25-29 May, Istanbul, Turkey
Act 4: 30 June – 4 July, Boston, USA
Act 5: 6-12 August, Cowes, UK
Act 6: 16-18 September, Trapani, Italy
Act 7: 30 September – 2 October, Nice, France
Act 8: 12-16 October, Almeria, Spain
Act 9: 9-11 December, Singapore
Extreme Sailing Series standings after three Acts
1 - Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA) - 29 points
2 - Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) - 28 points
3 - Artemis Racing (SWE) - 27 points
4 - Luna Rossa (ITA) - 25 points
5 - Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT) - 23 points
6 - The Wave, Muscat (OMA), Torvar Mirsky / Kyle Langford / Nick Hutton / Khamis Al Anbouri - 18 points
7 - Alinghi (SUI) - 18 points
8 - Oman Air (OMA), Sidney Gavignet / Kinley Fowler / David Carr / Nasser Al Mashari - 11 points
9th Team Extreme (EUR) - 8 points
10th Niceforyou (ITA) - 6 points
11th Team GAC Pindar (GBR) - 5 points
Oman Sail
Extreme Sailing Series
