Extreme Sailing Series - Back to basics for Oman Sail crews
by Oman Sail on 24 Jun 2014
The Extreme Sailing Series 2014. Act 2. Muscat. The Wave, Muscat. Skippered by Leigh McMillan (GBR) with tactician Sarah Ayton (GBR), trimer Peter Greenhalgh (GBR), headsail trimer Kinley Fowler (NZL) and bowman Nasser Al Mashari (OMA). Lloyd Images
The new Extreme Sailing Series venue at St Petersburg in Russia has called for a return to basics for both Oman Sail Extreme 40 crews on The Wave, Muscat and Oman Air as they prepare for Act 4.
It will be important to make good starts and no mistakes, skippers Leigh McMillan (TWM) and Rob Greenhalgh agreed after they had taken their first look at the race track on the Neva River, the third largest river in Europe, which flows through the centre of St Petersburg.
'The river is very tidal and we are expecting very light winds with choppy waters so it could be interesting,' said McMillan. 'With the number of boats we have in the fleet, it will be tricky with lots of ups and downs.'
McMillan and his The Wave, Muscat crew, which includes Omani sailor Nasser Al Mashari, were disappointed by their fourth place in Qingdao almost two months ago but going into St Petersburg, they lie just two points behind overall leaders Alinghi and are hoping to jump the fleet.
'We will need to get on a roll, be as sharp as possible for the whole event and take every opportunity we can to jump the fleet and get back on the podium. Our goal, as it has always been, is to stay in the running.'
By contrast, stable-mates Oman Air had their best ever event in China despite being T-boned in the first 30 seconds of racing. The addition of America’s Cup winner Kyle Langford made a difference and Greenhalgh’s new team finished on the podium a creditable four times.
'The last event was good for us so we hope to keep improving here,' he said.
'It’s a new sailing venue so we need to get familiar with the sailing area as quickly as possible but then it will be about starting well and minimising the mistakes.
'We will try and do as well as we can here and keep on improving as the series goes on.'
Langford has raced in St Petersburg before but for the rest of the crews, this is their first visit to Russia’s second largest city.
Despite the cold and wet weather that greeted them when they arrived, they were keen to soak up the atmosphere including Al Mashari, who has just come from Normandy Sailing Week where he finished third in the M34 class.
Immediately after Act 4, he travels back to France for the Tour de France a la Voile, but right now he has other things on his mind on top of the testing weather, which is in stark contrast to the heat and dry of Muscat.
'St Petersburg is a lovely place, very cultured and impressive but I am trying to find a Russian restaurant where I can sample Russian food. Last night we tried an Italian which was very good but I really want to eat a Russian meal!'
Act 4 St Petersburg will be hosted by the Saint Petersburg Yacht Club and fans around the world can watch the racing live from the 27 June, from 1600-1730 local time in Saint Petersburg, 1300-1430 BST / 1400-1530. Extreme Sailing Series.
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