| Challenging First Day
at Extreme 40 USA Debut. |
| By Extreme Sailing
Series 2011 Media. |
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Photos by Lloyd Images,
edited By Peter Andrews. |
| June 30, 2011. |
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| The opening day of the Extreme Sailing Series, Act 4 at the Fan Pier in Boston, proved to be a challenging one as the 11 Extreme 40 teams made their USA debut. Finding the best lanes of wind pressure and speed was the big ask of the day, as the breeze fluctuated in strength and direction. With the Fan Pier backdrop throwing in some wind holes for good measure, it was especially a challenge at the finish area, only metres from the shore and the crowds. |
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Act 4, Boston - Day 1, Artemis Racing leading over Groupe Edmond de Rothschild,
during the Extreme Sailing Series 2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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For some it presented opportunities, while for others opportunities lost. Rapid place changes were the order of the day, but on top by 1 point was US sailor Terry Hutchinson, driving Artemis Racing.
"It’s nice to come off today in this position, but you know the racing is only going to get harder, not easier, and we’re mindful that we’ve got probably another 25 to 28 races to go. It is intense and full on the entire time," said Hutchinson. "Boston is such an awesome city to sail in and provided a great race track today," he added. |
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Artemis Racing in action skippered by Terry Hutchinson, during the Extreme
Sailing Series 2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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| It was a great comeback for British sailor Leigh McMillan, who took over as skipper and helm of The Wave-Muscat. In 2010, McMillan helmed Ecover into third place overall, but at this morning’s press conference he was reticent about his hopes at his first 2011 event. These were quickly dispelled with a win in the first race and two more out of the seven races staged on the opening day. |
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The Wave-Muscat with new skipper Leigh McMillan at the helm, during the
Extreme Sailing Series 2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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| "I really just wanted to take it easy and in a way we did. But when the race starts, you just have to take every opportunity as it comes and that’s what we did," said McMillan. "We didn’t have good starts but it was very shifty conditions and there were a lot of opportunities to overtake, which is where we came into our own and made big gains in all of the races. I did not expect at all to be in second place, so I am really thrilled with the day and thrilled to be sailing with these guys," he concluded. |
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The fleet getting ready for a start, during the Extreme Sailing Series
2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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| Roman Hagara’s Red Bull Extreme Sailing pulled off two race wins in the final two races, and consistency in the earlier races secured third place overall going into the second day. No doubt his team was inspired by the Red Bull Air Force skydivers, who provided a stunning opening stunt to kickstart racing. The two parachutists performing loops on their descent, releasing smoke flares before landing on the floating pontoon right in front of the crowds with impressive precision. |
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The fleet race on the stunning city waters, during the Extreme Sailing
Series 2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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| Special guest and two-time Velux 5 Oceans Victor Brad Van Liew, who dropped by to experience his first Extreme 40 ride as a guest 5th man. "First time being at an event let alone getting a ride and with Dean Barker; so really a fun thing to do," said Brad Van Liew. "For those that came down to the venue to watch, its fantastic because we’ve had all these huge lead changes. Great fun to watch and even more exciting to see up and close," he added. |
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Oman Air and Emirates Team New
Zealand, during the Extreme Sailing Series
2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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| For Brad Van Liew who is more used to racing ocean-going monohulls, the lightweight Extreme 40s’ came as a breath of fresh air. "These things can go from 0 to 20 knots in a couple of boat lengths and they can also go from 20 to 0 knots in a couple of boat lengths. So when they sail into a windless hole, they pile in on top of each other which reconsolidates the race. I can imagine sailing one in 25 knots would change your ‘fun-meter’ level!" |
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The Wave-Muscat and Alinghi, during the Extreme Sailing Series 2011, Boston,
USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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With Act 4 being part of the Boston Harborfest 4th July celebrations, there is plenty action for spectators to enjoy over the coming days with 49er sailing, music on the main stage every night, street performers and more skydiving from the Red Bull Air Force.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 4 at Fan Pier Boston, USA
Current overall standings after 7 races, Day 1.
Position / Team / Skipper and crew / Points
| 1st |
Artemis Racing (SWE), Terry Hutchinson, Sean Clarkson, Morgan Trubovich and Julien Cressant on 60 points. |
| 2nd |
The Wave-Muscat (OMA), Leigh McMillan, Kyle Langford, Nick Hutton and Khamis Al Anbouri on 59 points. |
| 3rd |
Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT), Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Will Howden and Craig Monk on 54 points. |
| 4th |
Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), Pierre Pennec, Christophe Espagnon, Thierry Fouchier and Hervé Cunningham on 46 points. |
| 5th |
Luna Rossa (ITA), Max Sirena, Paul Campbell-James, Alister Richardson and Manuel Modena on 44 points. |
| 6th |
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Dean Barker, Adam Beashel, James Dagg and Jeremy Lomas on 43 points. |
| 7th |
Niceforyou (ITA), Alberto Barovier, Mark Bulkeley, Daniele de Luca and Simone de Mari on 41 points. |
| 8th |
Oman Air (OMA), Sidney Gavignet, Kinley Fowler, David Carr and Nasser Al Mashari on 35 points. |
| 9th |
Alinghi (SUI), Tanguy Cariou, Yann Guichard, Nils Frei and Yves Detrey on 28 points. |
| 10th |
Team GAC Pindar (GBR), Ian Williams, Mark Ivey, Andrew Walsh and Jono Macbeth on 26 points. |
| 11th |
Team Extreme (EUR), Roland Gaebler, Bruno Dubois, Sebbe Godefroid and Bob Merrick on 25 points. |
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Day 1 Press Conference at Fan Pier, Boston, during the Extreme Sailing
Series 2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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Spectators watching the racing up close from the race village, during the
Extreme Sailing Series 2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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Luna Rossa flying a hull during racing on day 1, during the Extreme Sailing
Series 2011, Boston, USA.
Photo © Lloyd Images.
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For more information
about the Extreme Series, go to the official website at: www.extremesailingseries.com.
Extreme Sailing Series YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/extremesailingseries. |
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| Outimage and the
Extreme Sailing Series © 2011 |
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