Extreme Sailing Series Act 4 - Realteam looks to continue podium run

by Realteam Sailing on 25 Jun 2014 The Swiss crew onboard Realteam head to St Petersburg in Russia this week to race Act four of the Extreme Sailing Series and with a second place at the last Act in China at the beginning of May, they are keen to consolidate their fourth overall against some of the world’s greatest sailors.

Realteam and the rest of the Extreme Sailing Series fleet kick off the first-ever Russian stage of the eight venue series tomorrow in St Petersburg. The Swiss Realteam crew is currently fourth overall, just two points off the podium and is looking forward to discovering a new stadium racecourse.

'None of the teams are familiar with this venue, so the playing field is fairly even going into Act four,' said Extreme 40 helmsman, Arnaud Psarofaghis. 'The racing won’t be straight forward as we will be sailing on a river in the centre of town, there will be a lot of current and most likely very little wind. We will need to be careful not to get trapped by the tide and will be looking to race cleverly on a very tight course,' he described.

Having posted a second place overall in China behind fellow Swiss team, Alinghi, Realteam plans to keep the same crew for the next round. 'We are going with what we know,' said the 25-year-old helmsman. 'The team spirit is very good, but we are not having any illusions – our result in China was excellent, but this weekend’s event is a whole new challenge.'

Arnaud Psarofaghis remains ambitious though on the eve of the competition: 'The goal is to get onto the podium in St Petersburg and to score a maximum of points against the boats that are immediately behind us on the leaderboard.' And as the teams behind them include people like Ben Ainslie, Franck Cammas and Roman Hagara, that will be no mean feat. 'It is encouraging that we have found the right balance on board – I for one cannot wait for the short course intensity of the Extreme 40 racing having just finished two long distance events on Lake Geneva!'
The results will be posted live and photos for media use will be available on event website.

Realteam crew for Act four:
Arnaud Psarofaghis – helmsman
Jerome Clerc – skipper-mainsail trimmer
Bryan Mettraux – headsail trimmer
Thierry Wasem – bowman
Denis Girardet – fifth man
Shore team: Jeff Kerleguer and Sebastien Stephant
Coach: Etienne David

Overall standings after Act three in Qingdao, China
1. Alinghi (SUI) 28 points
2. The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 26 points
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 24 points
4. Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 22 points
5. Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 15 points
6. Groupama sailing team (FRA) 12 points
7. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 11 points
8. J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 10 points
9. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 9 points
10. Oman Air (OMA) 8 points
11. GAC Pindar (AUS) 3 points