Basilica set to wrap up iShares Cup
by Ben Faber on 13 Sep 2007
Basilica Extreme 40s
Team Basilica go into the final leg of the iShares Cup Extreme 40 sailing series in Amsterdam, starting Friday, knowing that they only have to cross the start line in the first race to win the series.
The British-owned team, sailing under the Hayling Island SC burgee, have won all three previous regattas this year in Munich, Marseille and at Skandia Cowes Week, and currently lie seven points ahead of closest rivals Holmatro in the overall standings. Providing the Brits start at least one race in Amsterdam they are guaranteed the title, which will be some compensation from having narrowly lost out on the Extreme 40s title last year to Tommy Hilfiger in the final race in Rotterdam.
Basilica will field the same victorious four-man crew from the previous iShares Cup races this year, with Volvo Ocean Race-winner and now Basilica skipper and helm, Robert Greenhalgh, lining up alongside his brother Peter Greenhalgh, James Grant and Justin Slattery.
Eight teams will lock horns just off Java Island on a canal in the heart of Amsterdam from 14-16 September, for this final race in what is set to be an awesome spectacle and a likely victory parade for the Brits.
Team Basilica’s boat captain, James Grant, can’t wait to get the racing underway:
'To come into the final regatta of the series with such a commanding lead is fantastic and testament to the way the team has sailed over the past five months. We wont be taking anything for granted however, and will sail hard in every race, looking to win this regatta and make up for the disappointment of last year in Holland.
The racing should be pretty spectacular – we will be right in the centre of the city with great vantage points for the crowds. The wind is likely to be quite difficult to read in such a built-up environment but it will be the same for every team and we have had a lot of experience of racing in these conditions from last year.'
Racing is scheduled to take place at 14:00 on Friday and Sunday, and at 12:00 on Saturday afternoon.
iShares Cup – Overall points standings:
1. Basilica – 30
2. Holmatro – 23
3. BT/Offshore Challenges Sailing Team - 22
4. Tommy Hilfiger - 19
5. Volvo Ocean Race - 18
6. Team Slam Denmark - 14
7. Groupama - 9
8. JP Morgan Asset Management - 8
9. ABN Amro – 3
www.basilica.co.uk - www.extreme40.co.uk - www.isharescup.com
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