Extreme Sailing Series - Live coverage from Istanbul - Act 7, Day 1

by Sail-World.com NZL on 1 Oct 2015 Extreme Sailing Series: St Petersburg Day 1 Racing here - Live.

Extreme Sailing Series: Extreme Sailing Series: Day 1 Racing here - Live from Istanbul

Today the action kicks off at the Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 7, Istanbul presented by Yandex (October 1 to 4). Against the stunning backdrop of the Turkish mosques, with 18 - 28 knots predicted, Istanbul promises to put the eight strong fleet of Extreme 40s to the test and thrill spectators. The highlight of the week will come in the form of a long distance race down the iconic Bosphorus under the bridges that connect Asia and Europe.

Commentary and expert insight into the racing will be from Land Rover Global Brand Ambassador, Hannah White, and Extreme 40 veteran and former Series winner, Pete Cumming. Our live coverage includes a multi-camera feed and onboard camera, as well as analytics from ESS technical partner SAP.

Thursday 1 October - 3D graphics - insights from SAP - 1430 - 1730 Local Time
(GMT+3)






With just a few hours to go until racing starts in Istanbul, there is a certain amount of trepidation and anticipation amongst the fleet, with the wind predicted to be blowing 18 knots and gusting to 28 knots when racing kicks off today.

Unable to have their usual practice day shakedown due to conditions yesterday which looked set to build to over 30 knot gusts, the Extreme 40 sailors are eager to put their machines to the test, and none more so than Red Bull Sailing Team. The Austrian team have been quietly and steadily racking up the points throughout the year, a win at the opening Act in Singapore their best result of the season. They arguably benefitted most from SAP Extreme Sailing Team’s poor result in Saint Petersburg six weeks ago, which paved the way for Roman Hagara and his team to climb up to second place on the Series standings. But with two Acts left, are the team going for the Series title, or defending second place?

Knowing he is the man to stand between Leigh McMillan and his move for the Series trophy, Hagara radiates confidence: “McMillan and I are friends so why would he target us?” Hagara jokes. “There is no change in our game plan, keep the team work perfect which we always try to do and battle it out for the top spot. I really think we can win at this Act.”

With 8 points between the Austrian team and The Wave, Muscat who are currently leading the Series overall, Hagara reflects on the Series title: “I think we will need a miracle to win the overall Series. We know Leigh is very good at pulling another win out of the bag just like that, so it is going to be a big challenge to knock him off that top spot but we are certainly going to try.”

The Wave, Muscat and SAP Extreme Sailing Team have traded places and points at the top of the leaderboard all year, and on the water have had their own rivalry, which seemingly Red Bull Sailing Team have managed to stay clear of. But Shaun Mason (GBR), trimmer onboard and now in his third season, predicts that may be about to change: “We always have a good little giggle when we see Leigh taking out the Danes, but I think we might be the target at this Act as we are the closest to him in terms of points at the moment. If he pushes anyone back it will be them or us. We would do the same if the shoe was on the other foot. It’s all part of the sport, you are out here to win so why wouldn’t Website