Extreme Sailing Series - Big Crowds enjoy unique spectacle

by Lydia Haley on 27 Jul 2015 Over 45,000 spectators lined the banks of the River Elbe to witness the debut in Hamburg of nine Extreme 40 catamarans racing so close to the shore that the fans were rewarded with a drenching of spray off the rudders of the boats.

It was the first time the busy, industrial waterway was closed to commercial river traffic to allow the short-course Extreme Sailing Series™ presented by Land Rover take place by the iconic Elbphilharmonie in one of the most challenging city-centre venues the stadium racing series has ever visited.

Hamburg threw all the weather in its armoury at the event, with winds from eight – thirty-two knots over the course of the four days interspersed with thunderstorms and sunshine, which saw 26 races completed.

Once again, the Omani team The Wave, Muscat, skippered by Olympian Leigh McMillan took the top spot on the podium, their third win in the global eight Act circuit. Narrowly beaten into second place was Gazprom Team Russia. The Land Rover sponsored Red Bull Sailing Team were just one point off the podium, beaten to third place by SAP Extreme Sailing Team, who came back from a capsize on day three in spectacular style, being righted within minutes of the incident, with no damage to the crew and minimal damage to the boat, and then flying a hull past the spectators to cheers from ashore.

To add to their second place, Gazprom Team Russia were presented with the Land Rover Above and Beyond Award by Oliver Sievert, Sales Manager for Jaguar Land Rover Germany in recognition for their composure when under pressure, focus, determination and for posting their best ever result so far in the Series.

Commenting on the win, Event Director and Above and Beyond Award Committee Member Andy Tourell commented, “Gazprom Team Russia have had a great regatta. They might not have taken the top spot today, but these guys have impressed everyone with their dogged determination. After a really strong performance on Friday when they led at the top of the leaderboard, they had a hugely disappointing day, struggling in the strong, gusty conditions on Saturday. But this didn’t stop them. They regrouped mentally, refocused and came out today and were rewarded with a well-deserved second spot on the podium, achieving their best Act result to date.”

The Wave, Muscat now extend their lead on the overall Series leaderboard by three points, with SAP Extreme Sailing Team in second and Red Bull Sailing Team in third.

The next stop on the Series is Saint Petersburg, Russia, 20-23 August.