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 Extreme cats and tricky tactics—Sailing News from the U.S. and Beyond
 | | The fleet of Extreme 40s races upwind on the final day of racing on the Bay of Angels in Nice - 2012 Extreme Sailing Series Act 7 Lloyd Images © |
The Extreme Sailing Series Act 7, which just wrapped up in Nice, France, has been grabbing headlines this weekend as eight Extreme 40 catamarans went head to head, creating a great scene for thousands of spectators, while also delivering some red-hot racing action for the sailors. After three days of races, 'Groupe Edmond de Rothschild', skippered by Pierre Pennec, took top honors, with 'The Wave, Muscat' (Leigh McMillan) and 'Oman Air' (Morgan Larson) rounding out the podium.
 | | Top contenders going into the final day in Nice, The Wave, Muscat, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild and Oman Air go head to hear. - 2012 Extreme Sailing Series Act 7 Lloyd Images © |
'I am very happy with the victory, my team has got back for their hard work,' said Pennec. 'The conditions allowed us to indulge physically and tactically we were going fast. Returning to the third place overall is great. We will try again to sail well in Rio [at the next Act] and then we'll see the overall standings at the end of the year. Anything can happen until the last moment.' Get the full scoop, inside.
Meanwhile, on the Mediterranean, 83 boats of different shapes and sizes are competing in the 33rd Rolex Middle Sea Race, which is hosted by Royal Malta Yacht Club. According to the latest reports at the time of this writing, the fleet is being confronted by some meteorologically challenging conditions and a lot of light-air sailing.
 | | RÁN 2 (GBR) finds it slow going between the Strait and Stromboli - 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race © Rolex/ Kurt Arrigo |
'It was a very tricky first night,' said Steve Hayles, navigator aboard 'Ran 2'. 'The smaller boats made quite a big gain at one point. Our long-term strategy was to be furthest offshore. We made a considerable loss initially but managed to stretch away this morning. The race is going to be a bit like an elastic band. It's about trying to stay on the right side of your competitor and focused on where next breeze is coming from.' More, inside.
Also inside, be sure to get the latest reports from the Audi Melges 32 Sailing series, which is unfurling in Napoli, Italy and the upcoming Vendee Globe, which kicks off on November 10. The 2012 RS:X Youth World Windsurfing Championship is now underway, as Rory Ramsden reports. Also, don't miss Paul Larsen's report from Namibia, were he and his Sailrocket 2 team are trying to set a new outright speed-sailing record.
 | | 2012 Coastal Classic Start -Crusader2012 Coastal Classic Start - Oracle Team USA - Pier 80 Base, San Francisco Richard Gladwell © |
And lastly, for anyone who might be in need of a speed thrill, check out the great coverage of the Coastal Classic, which took place this weekend in New Zealand. The racecourse took the fleet from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, giving boats a chance to strut in the windy stuff. The video footage of some of New Zealand's quickest multihulls surfing at 40 knots—not to mention the footage of monohulls tagging 25 knots—is not to be missed. Enjoy!
May the four winds blow you safely home,
David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor
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