Extreme Sailing Series 2014 - Realteam aims for consistency at Act two

by Realteam Sailing on 18 Mar 2014 Extreme Sailing Series - Tomorrow, the Swiss sailing squad onboard Realteam will line up against some of the best sailors in the world for Act two of the Extreme Sailing Series. After posting a third place overall in Singapore, the crew is ambitious but more aware than ever of the high level of competition that awaits them.

Just a month after posting an impressive third place overall at Act one of the Extreme Sailing Series in Singapore, the Realteam crew is going into Act two in Muscat, Oman (19-22 March) feeling confident and highly motivated.

Eight out of twelve teams won at least one race during the Singapore event, illustrating how high the level is as Jerome Clerc explains: 'The standard of the other teams is going to increase compared to Singapore. With one round behind them, the big teams are going to show their strengths and we will need to remain consistent and progress with them in order to stay competitive,' he said. 'We have a long way to go still and are constantly looking for ways to improve our performance!'

Repairs on the Realteam catamaran, powered by Realstone, following a collision with Oman Air in Singapore, are complete and the team is looking forward to racing a new venue in Muscat, Oman and a slightly different format.

Racing off the Almouj Golf club will be 'Open Water' instead of the usual 'Stadium Racing' which translates as longer legs rather than the short course city centre competition conducted in Singapore. 'The game will be much more open with this format with less restrictions,' said helmsman Arnaud Psarofaghis. 'The key to success for Realteam will be communication, we will be looking to continue in the same vein as in Singapore. If we avoid the errors that we made during Act one we can set our sights on the podium!'

The first event was action packed with excitement and come backs, there were several collisions on Marina Bay but they were all eclipsed by the spectacular crash between Groupama and Aberdeen. The overall results went to the wire with the double points final race being the decider.

Anything can happen in Oman!

Realteam Act two Extreme Sailing Series crew
Arnaud Psarofaghis – helmsman
Jerome Clerc – skipper-mainsail trimmer
Bryan Mettraux – headsail trimmer
Thierry Wasem – bowman
Nils Palmieri – fifth man
Shore team: Jeff Kerleguer and Sebastien Stephant
Coach: Etienne David

Extreme Sailing Series 2014 ranking after Act one
Alinghi (SUI) - 217 points
The Wave, Muscat (OMA) - 193 points
Realteam by Realstone (SUI) - 178 points
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) - 168 points
Groupama sailing team (FRA) - 160 points
Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) - 156 points
J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) - 152 points
Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) - 128 points
Oman Air (OMA) - 128 points
SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) - 126 points
Team Aberdeen Singapore (SIN) - 82 points
GAC Pindar (AUS) - 59 points

Event website: click here