Extreme Sailing Series - SAP Extreme Sailing Team reveal Act 1 line up

by Gillian Clarke on 31 Jan 2014 The SAP Extreme Sailing Team confirms their team line up for the opening act of the Extreme Sailing Series in Singapore. January saw the SAP Extreme Sailing team focus on gearing up in the South of France, with training and trialing ahead of the start of this year’s series. The team sealed their crew member selection to feature at the Singapore start line and now welcomes trimmers Thierry Douillard (FRA) and Peter Wibroe (DK) as they join Co-skippers Rasmus Kostner (DK) and Jes Gram-Hansen (DK) with Bowman Nicolai Sehested (DK), returning for his second year with the team.

The competition has intensified even further this year on the Extreme Sailing Series with strong competition on the starting grid. Both Thierry and Peter are eager to establish themselves within the Danish team to continue capitalising on gains made last year on the circuit by the team.

Douillard commented: 'I’ve always admired Jes and Rasmus drive and commitment. Their partnership with SAP has played such an important part of their transformation and watching the team secure three podium wins last year, elevating the team to be a strong challenger on the circuit was inspiring, and they are an impressive operation. They sailed really well last year so I’m honored to be joining the team and push even harder to meet the demands of the competitive fleet and take the racing and the partnership to achieve even more success'

Rasmus Kostner said: 'We are committed to developing our team and operation as the platform for excellence and pathway in sailing, we feel that Thierry is really aligned to what we want to achieve both on the water and onshore. His wide and varied experience brings a new edge to the team and Peter has proved himself as a valuable addition from the Danish base of sailors we are keen to include in our line up.'

Jes Gram-Hansen added: 'This year, we are planning to focus our energy on more training time together and look forward to reaping the rewards during competition time when the pressure is on. The team achieved superb results last year and we will continue to move forward and capitalize on this. Our passion and commitment to what we set out to achieve has not diminished and we are excited that our partnership with SAP continues to steer the results and goals both on the water and onshore in sailing.'

Whilst Peter Wibroe will be new to the Series, his crew is brimming with high performance boat experience with Jes, Rasmus, Thierry and Nicolai supporting his role within the team on his premier appearance in Singapore where the fleet will race on Marina Bay next month.

Peter Wibroe said of his selection for Singapore: 'I’m really excited to join the team for the Extreme Sailing Series opening Act in Singapore. After our practice week in the South of France I’ve got the taste of what is awaiting me. It will be challenging but I’m ready for it and keen to earn my stripes with the team. The SAP Extreme Sailing Team demonstrated the drills, discipline and routine of the team during this trial selection and I wanted to be a part of this. I’ve known Jes and Rasmus for a long time, but mostly racing against them! So it’s a great opportunity and a lot of fun to finally race with them and see where we can bring the performance to, on the start line. The standards are high and that’s what we are aiming for, 100%.'

You can follow all the SAP Extreme Sailing Team’s race action on: Facebook and Twitter @SAPExtremeSail