Extreme 40s in Singapore

by Suzy Rayment on 11 Apr 2013 Singapore has to be commended for its support of big-ticket sailing and yachting by hosting international events that put Asia on the map. Over the next two weeks Singaporeans will be able to see everything from high tech professional multihull sailing to super luxurious superyachts up close and personal, with three major boating events happening on their doorstep.

The action kicks off today with Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series 2013. Now in its seventh year, this is the third time that Singapore has hosted the event. In 2010 and 2011 there were exhibitions events, but this time Singapore has taken the bull by the horns (so to speak) and will host a proper Series event for the next three years. Eight teams, with 40 of the world’s best sailors, from 11 nationalities, will be lining up on the starting grid for a week-long event that is set to take Singapore by storm (but no rain please!).

Every day for the next five days, these high tech machines will thrill spectators, and for the first time ever Singapore will have their own team on the water thanks to local sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management.

Skippered by aspiring Olympic Laser sailor, the first-ever Singaporean skipper of an Extreme 40, Scott Glen Sydney, will be joined on board by fellow Singaporean and Asian Games keelboat match racing gold medallist Justin Wong. At the helm is Rob Greenhalgh (GBR), and another Brit, Andrew Walsh, is the mainsail trimmer. At the front of the boat is the accomplished 49er sailor Rick Peacock who is the team’s bowman.

They will have some tough competition as the line up for this event includes The Wave, Muscat, who are currently leading the series after a win at the opening regatta in Muscat, and they are joined by Red Bull Sailing Team (running second) and Alinghi (3rd). But this is a racing series where nothing can be taken for granted. With new talent onboard the remaining teams (GAC Pindar, Team Korea , Realteam) will be pilling on the pressure.

Conditions in Singapore are predicted to be soft, to put it politely, but Extreme 40s do move on no more than the promise of a puff. Expect less ‘crash and burn’ and more ‘tiptoe through the tulips’. Marina Bay reservoir, with its 3.5km waterfront promenade, is located in the heart of the city, and is set to provide picture-perfect natural water stadium.

The action will be broadcast live from the race village this coming Saturday and Sunday.

For more information: http://www.extremesailingseries.com/ and http://www.aberdeenextremesailing.com/?OpenDocument&icid=ppc_sg_en_SG-SN-Aberdeen-Tactical-Campaign_ESS_sng_extreme%20sailing%20series&gclid=COvAvOHFwbYCFQ566wodeR4Atg