Extreme Sailing Series 2014 Act five - Absent without leave – the wind

by J.P. Morgan BAR on 25 Aug 2014 Extreme Sailing Series 2014 Act five - It was another long day out on the waters of Cardiff Bay for Day three of Extreme Sailing Series Act five. However, after two long days with a record-breaking 19 races sailed, the wind barely showed up until the end this time, and only another five races were contested.

It was another steady day for the team aboard J.P. Morgan BAR, with a race win in the opener, followed up by a solid series of results to finish the day still in third place. They now have a 14 point deficit to the new leaders, The Wave, Muscat, with Alinghi splitting the pair evenly, seven points ahead of J.P Morgan BAR. The rest of the competition is 20 points or more adrift, so there is everything to play for, with a good podium finish at stake in the final day.

It’s been a big three days for the team’s fifth man, Bleddyn Mon, a former Team GB 49er sailor making his third consecutive appearance at the Cardiff Acts. 'It has been great to join the team,' commented Bleddyn. 'I have had experience before in this series. It has been a good few days of racing for us so far, and today has been another long day; although there were only five races there was a lot of sitting around.

'I guess I am the youngest guy in the team by a long way, but on the water we all have our roles and our jobs to do. It is fantastic to be in front of the home crowd; being Welsh as well it is great to be here with the home team.'

Full J.P. Morgan BAR Act five, Cardiff, Team list:
Skipper – Ben Ainslie
Tactician – Paul Campbell-James
Bowman – Matt Cornwell
Trimmer – Nick Hutton
Fifth Man – Bleddyn Mon
Shore Team
Jono Macbeth
Richy O’Farrell
Ian Mccabe
Simon Daubney
Alex Hopson

Position – Team – Points
1st The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 172 points.
2nd Alinghi (SUI) 165 points.
3rd J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 158 points.
4th Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 138 points.
5th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 135 points.
6th Oman Air (OMA) 129 points.
7th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 126 points.
8th Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 110 points.
9th GAC Pindar (AUS) 106 points.
10th Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 105 points.
11th Groupama sailing team (FRA) 99 Event website