Extreme Sailing Series - SAP Extreme Team confident in Cardiff

by Sarah Branson on 25 Aug 2013 In Act 6 of the Extreme Sailing Series, the SAP Extreme Team took a leap up the leaderboard into second position overall. Gusty conditions meant that co-­?skippers Rasmus Kostner and Jes Gram-­?Hansen, known as the ‘Danish double-­?act’, had to really hold their nerve, intercept on the start and take some brave decisions.

Conditions in Cardiff Bay were far more what the fleet had anticipated and the Extreme 40s were zipping around in breeze reaching up to 18knots with the SAP Team making speeds of up to 14knots (16mph) during Race 4. With spray and hulls flying, spectators in the packed Race Village were given an epic show of clean boat handling and high-­?octane racing at its absolute best.

Rasmus Kostner is delighted with the teams’ position. ‘This is what we are here for. What a day! We sailed quickly and confidently, nailed the starts and it has paid dividends. The adrenalin was pumping and we knew if we could focus that we were in great shape to consolidate and chip away at the overall rankings. We held our nerve and used all our experience to post consistent results, which can be tricky in a fleet full of sailors all hungry for success.’

Jes Gram-­Hansen added ‘We have learnt and continue to learn a lot every time we race and today was no exception. It was hard-­core and we were definitely in it to win after the win in Race 4. The atmosphere was electric, the weather was just perfect and our teamwork was extremely tight.’

The SAP Extreme Sailing Team go into day three tomorrow in second place and will be working hard to defend their position.

1. Alinghi 105
2. SAP Extreme Racing Team 102
3. The Wave Muscat 100
4. Red Bull Sailing Team 100
5. Realteam 85
6. ChinaSpirit 72
7. GAC Pindar 56
8. Team Wales Land Rover 53