Extreme Sailing Series™ Exciting Penultimate Day in Sydney

All Images by Mark Rogers @boytjiemark

As the battle for the Extreme Sailing Series™ title was fought on Sydney Harbour yesterday all eyes were on The Red Bull Sailing Team, Alinghi and Oman Air. The 13 to 20 knot easterly breeze made for an exciting afternoon.

We had an opportunity to cover the race from the shore and on the water and managed to snap some photos that demonstrate how extreme this sport is.

Extreme Sailing Series™ was established in 2007 and is the original 'stadium-style' racing circuit designed for spectators to experience high-performance action close to shore. Attracting some of the worlds very best sailors racing GC32 hydro-foiling catamarans on short courses around the globe. The Extreme Sailing Series™ also delivers a unique and bespoke VIP experience, with guests racing on board during the races.

The Red Bull Sailing Team looked like they were on course to end the day in pole position until Swiss crew Alinghi, claimed honours in the last two races of the day pushing them to second position.

The Series leaders Oman Air were relegated to third place in the Act 8 rankings, 19 points adrift of Alinghi, with two podium finishes.

Just two points split Oman Air and Alinghi on the overall scoreboard, meaning the 2016 title will go to whichever of the two teams finishes Act 8 ahead. There is still a chance the Red Bull Sailing Team could still win overall if they were to finish two places ahead of Alinghi and three ahead of Oman Air.

Unfortunately for Land Rover BAR Academy disaster struck in the third race of the day when part of their mainsail that holds it to the mast broke leaving them in 6th position.

The two wildcard teams, Team Australia and RNZYS Lautrec Racing, were tested by the regular Series' crews and got to experience some classic Stadium Racing.

The grand finale of the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series will begin at 1400 today local time (GMT+11). Fans can follow all the action live on the Extreme Sailing Series website or YouTube channel from 1530 to 1700 local time. For those in Australia the racing will also be broadcast on Fox Sports 5 from 1530 to 1700.

Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 8, Sydney standings after Day 3, 17 races (10.12.16)

Position / Team / Points

1st Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothé Lapauw, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 152 points.

2nd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Stewart Dodson, Adam Piggott, Brad Farrand 146 points.

3rd Oman Air (OMA) Morgan Larson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Ed Smyth, Nasser Al Mashari 133 points.

4th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Jes Gram-Hansen, Rasmus Køstner, Mads Emil Stephensen, Pierluigi De Felice, Renato Conde 125 points.

5th Visit Madeira (POR) Diogo Cayolla, Frederico Mello, Gilberto Conde, Luís Brito, Tom Buggy 111 points.

6th Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) Neil Hunter, Chris Taylor, Will Alloway, Sam Batten, Rob Bunce 109 points.

7th RNZYS Lautrec Racing (NZL) Chris Steele, Graeme Sutherland, Josh Salthouse, Tim Sneddon, Logan Dunning Beck 105 points.

8th Team Australia (AUS) Sean Langman, Seve Jarvin, Marcus Ashley-Jones, Gerard Smith, Rhys Mara 81 points.

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