Extreme Sailing Series -Realteam against the ‘Big Four’

by MaxComm Communication on 28 Aug 2013 At the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series, Skipper Jerome Clerc and the young professional crew racing the Realteam Extreme 40 last weekend in Cardiff, Wales, finished fifth overall at Act 6 adding valuable points to a third place in Porto to consolidate its position on the leader-board with two events to go.

'It’s a really good result for us considering that we raced in every conceivable condition over the bank holiday weekend in Wales,' said Jerome Clerc. 'At the start of the event we had very light wind and we briefly led the ranking. After that the breeze filled in and the ‘Big Four’ dominated again, they are much more experienced than us so it was expected, although we have made huge progress and the deltas are getting smaller.'

Over 120,000 spectators watched the eight Extreme Sailing teams compete in 28 races over the four-day event in Cardiff. Leigh McMillan skipper of Oman Sail’s The Wave, Muscat eventually won the Act ahead of close rival Alinghi, followed by SAP Extreme Sailing Team and Red Bull Sailing Team – four of the strongest teams on the circuit.

Jerome Clerc was back on the helm for the Cardiff Act having given it up to Pierre Pennec temporarily for the Porto stage of the series. Swiss-based French sailor Tanguy Cariou was also onboard trimming the mainsail. 'Tanguy brings a lot to the team,' said Jerome. 'He is very calm and rational even in super stressful situations and his cool-headed approach transfers to the team which is very important given the high intensity of the racing; the intense, stressful rhythm of the series is what makes it so hard and so exciting in equal measure!'

The next stop for the Extreme Sailing Series is Act seven in Nice, France, from third to October 6th. This will be the penultimate event of the 2013 season that concludes in Rio de Janeiro in November.

Realteam – crew:
Skipper/helmsman: Jerome Clerc (SUI)
Tactician: Bruno Barbarin (FRA)
Mainsail trimmer: Tanguy Cariou (FRA)
Trimmer: Cedric Schmidt (SUI)
Bowman: Thierry Wasem (SUI)

Extreme Sailing Series Act six results after 28 races
1. The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 239 points
2. Alinghi (SUI) 225 points
3. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 223 points
4. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 212 points
5. Realteam (SUI) 180 points
6. ChinaSpirit (CHN) 162 points
7. GAC Pindar (NZL) 135 points
8. Team Wales Land Rover (GBR) 125 points

Extreme Sailing Series 2013 – provisional overall ranking:
1. The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 46 points
2. Alinghi (SUI) 45 points
3. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 37 points
4. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 35 points
5. Realteam (SUI) 28 points
6. GAC Pindar (NZL) 26 points
7. Team X Invitational 21 points
8. Team Korea (KOR) 16 points