Extreme Sailing Series- Emirates Team NZ slips to fifth at Nice

by Warren Douglas on 6 Oct 2014 The Extreme Sailing Series focus shifts now to Sydney – the last event in the 2014 season – where all the questions will be answered.

Only four days of racing remain this year with five teams – Alinghi, The Wave, Muscat, Emirates Team New Zealand, Realteam and J.P. Morgan BAR – capable of a top-three position.

A lot can happen in four days of an Extreme 40 regatta; leaderboard positions as they stand today after seven events could be turned upside-down in the last regatta of the season.

Seven races were sailed on the final day at Nice. The breeze was light at the start of the day but a threatening thunderstorm caused the breeze to build big shifts across the course. The boats were flying hulls for the last couple of races.

Emirates Team New Zealand slipped to fifth on the Nice leaderboard, but retains third overall for the season championship.
Helm Peter Burling said: 'Today we felt like we sailing well enough to keep our place on the podium. We let a few things slip away from us in the last race – we couldn’t quite put it together.'

The team was delighted today when Omani boatbuilder Suleiman Al Manji was presented with the 'Above and Beyond' award, for taking Edwin Delaat’s place on the boat on Saturday. Delaat, who was ill with food poisoning, was back on the boat on Sunday.

The organisers said: 'Thanks to Suleiman’s last minute call-up, the Emirates Team New Zealand crew kept their grip on the podium, finishing in third after an exhausting seven races'

Suleiman Al Maji said: 'I was a little bit nervous as it was the first time I had sailed on an Extreme 40, but I was happy and very excited to go and sail with Emirates Team New Zealand. Next year, I’d love to race more - I’d love to do both, sailing and boat building!'

Glenn Ashby: 'Tactically he was awesome. It was great to have Suleiman onboard, he was thrown in the deep-end and he did a really great job and I think he enjoyed himself. He should be exceptionally proud of his performance and it was great to have him as part of the team.'

Extreme Sailing Series 2014 overall standings
1st Alinghi (SUI) 65 points.
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 57 points.
3rd Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 49 points.
4th Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 45 points.
5th J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 37 points.
6th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 30 points.
7th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 28 points.
8th Oman Air (OMA) 24 points.
9th Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 24 points.
10th Groupama sailing team (FRA) 22 points.
11th GAC Pindar (AUS) 11 points.

Extreme Sailing Series Nice standings after final day Day, 29 races (5.10.14)
1st Alinghi (SUI) 183 points.
2nd Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 171 points.
3rd J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 161 points.
4th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 160 points.
5th Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 156 points.
6th GAC Pindar (AUS) 146 points.
7th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 145 points.
8th The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 143 points.
9th Groupama sailing team (FRA) 143 points.
10th Oman Air (OMA) 138 points.
11th Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 133 points.