Extreme Sailing Series 2014 - Realteam heads to Cote d’Azur for Act 7

by Realteam Sailing on 1 Oct 2014 Realteam will line up against the elite of the sailing world tomorrow in Nice, France, at the penultimate Act of the eight-event Extreme Sailing Series. The team, led by Jerome Clerc and with Arnaud Psarofaghis on the helm, is on top form and fresh from winning the Grand Prix SAP, the final event of the Decision 35 Vulcain Trophy on Lake Geneva.

Currently in fourth place overall on the provisional season championship leaderboard, the Swiss team has everything to fight for at the Mediterranean stage: 'We finished fourth here last year in stunning conditions,' said Thierry Wasem. 'Nice is an open water race course and the sea state builds up very quickly. I hope we will have as much wind as we had last year!'

Consistency is the buzz word onboard Realteam, particularly with regards performance. 'We need to be consistent right out of the blocks and until the end of the Act,' said Wasem. 'This was missing in Istanbul.' Consistency in the crew selection is also critical: 'Our Extreme 40 crew has been very stable since the beginning of the year which is a big advantage given that we have very little training time before each Act.'

The only change onboard Realteam for Nice is the return of Bryan Mettraux who stepped off for the Istanbul Act due to 49er commitments at the ISAF World Championships in Santander – he replaces Cedric Schmidt. 'I really missed sailing with the team,' said Mettraux. 'I last sailed with them at Act 5 in Cardiff in August, but I am confident of slotting right back in, I am feeling at the top of my form and have done a lot of sailing lately, plus we have spent a lot of time together on the boat!'



Realteam by Realstone crew – Nice
Jerome Clerc – skipper, mainsail trimmer
Arnaud Psarofaghis – helmsman
Bryan Mettraux – headsail trimmer
Thierry Wasem – bowman
Bruno Barbarin – tactician
Shore team – Jeff Kerleguer and Sebastien Stephant
Coach – Etienne David

Provisional results – 2014 Extreme Sailing Series
1. Alinghi (SUI) 55 points
2. The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 54 points
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 43 points
4. Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 36 points
5. J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 29 points
6. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 24 points
7. Oman Air (OMA) 23 points
8. Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 23 points
9. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 23 points
10. Groupama sailing team (FRA) 20 points
11. GAC Pindar (AUS) 6 points

To watch the penultimate Act of the Extreme Sailing Series live at 1530-1700 from Friday 3 until Sunday 5 October, please go to event website.