America’s Cup Winner Soaking Up His Time in the ‘Lucky Country’
by Nick Vindin 19 Mar 2018 16:29 PDT
23-25 March. 2018
Out on the trap on feeling's Corio Bay © Andrea Francolini
For America’s Cup conqueror and SuperFoiler series leader Glenn Ashby victory at the Expr3ss! SuperFoiler Grand Final in Sydney would be an exclamation point on a dream return to racing on home shores. “The sailing here in Australia is really up there with some of the best sailing venues and locations on the world,” said Euroflex’s mainsheet hand Glenn Ashby, “To be a part of a great event and series, meeting new people and getting to sail with my mates has been a great bonus after success winning the America’s Cup last year. All things considered, we really do live in the lucky country.”
Ashby has put in a peerless performance alongside his front-running Euroflex team mates of Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen. The trio of Olympic medallists and Auld Mug chasers lead the SuperFoiler series heading into the final round on Sydney Harbour, but know that with a two-point cushion and 12 points up for grabs in the last regatta, that the Ben Lexcen Trophy isn’t yet within reach.
“Sport is a game that can throw many curve balls and things can change quickly. I never take anything for granted and have seen how quickly a competition can change both for and against,” said the America’s Cup winner, “I think tech2 will be the team to watch, but the others are lurking in the shadows so any team could string a great last event together.”
Euroflex has dominated the series winning three of the four regattas but could tumble off the season podium with a poor result in Sydney but despite that the multiple world champion is still eager to share knowledge with the five SuperFoiler teams that are looking to dethrone him. “The great thing about sailing and our sport is that you never ever stop learning. I feel now that after competing most of my life, that I am still only scratching the surface of my knowledge of the game. I have absolutely no problem passing on a little bit that maybe able to help,” said Ashby.
Despite the allure of becoming the first team to etch their name onto the Carbon Nexus designed SuperFoiler trophy, Ashby knows that even without a breakthrough crown for Euroflex his journey back racing on home shores has already been one to savour. “For sure it has been very nice to spend some quality time on and off the water at home and I have thoroughly enjoyed the time catching up with family and friends after a big few years living and working abroad,” said the SuperFoiler series leader.
The Expr3ss! SuperFoiler Grand Final - Sydney will reach its epic conclusion on Sydney Harbour across Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of March 2018.
Championship Standings following the Busselton Regatta - Euroflex (19), tech2 (17), Pavement (16), Record Point (12), iD Intranet (11) and Kleenmaid (10).
About SuperFoiler
The SuperFoiler Grand Prix is contested over five weekends at five iconic marine locations across Australia (South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales) from February 2018.
The Summer series will see the best sailors from around the world compete onboard six SuperFoiler's for the Ben Lexcen Trophy. The Grand Prix series runs from February to March and will be livestreamed on Plus7 with immersive post produced coverage airing on 7mate.
Fan Zones and Corporate Hospitality experiences are also available for live viewing - here