The Final Showdown- iShares Cup Extreme 40 Amsterdam

by PR on 12 Sep 2007
The iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing series will reach its crescendo on a canal in the heart of Amsterdam from 14-16 September when eight teams lock horns in what will be the most impressive Extreme 40 racing spectacle yet.

With event and series honours for the taking, eight of these 40-foot catamarans, raced by some of the worlds top ranked sailors will attend the ultimate event which will combine no-holds-barred racing and for the first time in the iShares Cup, a special night exhibition race!

In Brief:

. Eight teams to compete for honours in the final iShares Cup event on a canal in the heart Amsterdam.
. This final event in the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing series will crown the winner of the overall iShares Cup, with Team Basilica the certain favourites and an additional four teams in the running for the remaining two podium spaces.
. New entry Team Blue join the line-up, Randy Smyth joins Tommy Hilfiger as helmsman and Volvo Ocean Race sees the return of an all-star French crew.
. On Saturday 15 September, under the cover of darkness, the Extreme 40s will take part in an exhibition night race

The iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing series will reach its crescendo on a canal in the heart of Amsterdam from 14-16 September when eight teams lock horns in what will be the most impressive Extreme 40 racing spectacle yet.

With event and series honours for the taking, eight of these 40-foot catamarans, raced by some of the worlds top ranked sailors will attend the ultimate event which will combine no-holds-barred racing and for the first time in the iShares Cup, a special night exhibition race!

Racing just off Java Island, a stone's throw from the city's Central Station, spectators will be able to watch all of the action first hand! Alan Hillman, iShares Cup Race Manager believes the final event will be the most exciting yet.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed] 'Amsterdam is going to be an incredible challenge for everyone involved in the iShares Cup series and we have certainly saved the best till last! With eight boats sailing scarily fast in an area surrounded by solid concrete walls, this event is not for the faint hearted. Just to make it even more exciting we shall be craning the boats over a bridge, into a small space for some exhibition night racing which will really push the limits of sailing these boats. The event is going to be really special, we are just hoping it won't put too much pressure on the local boat builders!'

'For iShares the Netherlands is a key market and it is fitting that the finale of a thrilling first year for the iShares Cup is being staged in Amsterdam,' explains Jennifer Grancio, Head of Distribution, Europe iShares.

'We expect to see an exciting finish as the teams' battle it out for the final podium positions. Sailing continually pushes the boundaries of technology and innovation and we are delighted to be supporting a sport whose characteristics mirror our approach to investing.'

The iShares Cup got off to an exciting start in Munich from 25-27 May with Rob Greenhalgh helming Basilica to an early lead in the series.

Six weeks later, on French waters, the British team was back on top form winning 10 of the 15 races at the iShares Cup, Marseille (7-9 July) and took yet another step closer to winning the overall trophy halfway through the season.

From 3-5 August at the iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week eight teams descended to compete and while Basilica clinched another victory, competition for the remaining podium spaces got fierce and the gap between the leaders shrank even further.

With three events already to their name, Basilica has the overall iShares Cup trophy firmly in their sights, but aim to sail on as if they have everything to lose.

'The series is coming good for us,' Pete Greenhalgh explains. 'We came into the iShares Cup series hoping to do well so to have won three in a row is a real highlight. We want to get the very best out of the circuit by winning again in Amsterdam which in close quarters will be a challenge, but one we're up to.'

The iShares Cup, Amsterdam will be a key event for 'home' team, Holmatro who currently hold second in the overall iShares Cup rankings. Skippered by Olympic Tornado sailor Carolijn Brouwer, the team sits one point ahead of BT and will need to remain strong in the final to maintain their current position.

'For us, Basilica is the team to beat,' Brouwer explains, 'but we have to keep an eye on BT who sailed very well in Cowes. With Olympic Tornado sailors Darren Bundock and Glenn Ashby onboard, I'm sure they will be on the attack in Amsterdam and we will be ready to fight back to hold on to that second place overall. Amsterdam is going to be a very exciting event. We're sailing on a small stretch of water,' Brouwer continues referring to the narrow stretch of water that will host the racecourse, 'and with eight 40-foot catamarans fighting for space it will certainly be worth watching!!'

BT, currently lying in third overall, is separated from Holmatro by a single point and will be battling for a podium place. Skipper Nick Moloney aims to better the Dutch team on the water,

'We want to beat Holmatro at this event and take second overall. If we finished second I will know that we have done everything we could have with our resources and time on the water. I expect there will be a lot of penalities at this event and we're just going to try and stay out of trouble.'

For the iShares Cup, Amsterdam, Tommy Hilfiger will be on a mission to upset the apple cart. Currently in fourth overall and flirting with a podium position, this USA team will see the return of Double Olympic Medallist, Randy Smyth as helmsman of the Extreme 40. Smyth helmed the team to victory in the 2005-2006 Extreme 40 series and is back for another taste of the action. Stan Schreyer, skipper of the American team will stand down from helming duties to let Smyth work his magic on the racecourse.

'Randy is one of the most accomplished catamaran sailors ever,' Schreyer explains. 'Jonathon, Randy, and I have been racing together for the last three years with Randy at the helm. We have always planned that Randy would helm in the 2008 season, but to have him back early and in time for the final event of this series is great. We are happy to have him on board and to get our core team back together.'

Volvo Ocean Race will see the return of their all-star French crew who propelled the boat to second overall at the iShares Cup, Munich. Talented sailors in light winds, the Volvo Ocean Race crew, skippered by Jean Christophe Mourniac and his team of multi-hull specialists, will put in a very strong challenge at this event in a bid to boost the team up the overall rankings.

Team SLAM Denmark, will also be in the mix on the enclosed Dutch waters, aiming to take a few race wins out of the hands of the professionals. Michael Thorrup Svensson comments,

'The team has really enjoyed the sailing this year and is looking forward to the last iShares Cup event in Amsterdam.'

Making its second appearance on the iShares Cup circuit, JPMorgan Asset Management, skippered by double Olympic gold medalist Shirley Robertson will hope to repeat their podium performance from the iShares Cup, Cowes where they finished third overall. Robertson is eager to be back in the Extreme 40.

'Racing onboard an Extreme 40 is the most fun I have ever had sailing, it's a huge adrenalin rush. I can't wait to get to Amsterdam. We had a great event in Cowes and came so close to securing second place so we are looking forward to flying that hull and getting out racing again!'

Joining the competition for the first time in 2007 is Team Blue skippered by Round the World sailor Conrad Humphreys. After finishing third in the 2005-2006 series, Humphreys joined the fleet in Cowes for three days of exhibition racing and will bring