Day two of the final Act in the Extreme Sailing Series 2011 in Singapore began as day one had finished: a game of cat and mouse between the Groupe Edmond de Rothschild and Luna Rossa Prada teams locked in a furious battle for the 2011 overall championship.
Despite testing conditions Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team, skippered by Austrian Olympic champion Roman Hagara, kept top spot on the leaderboard ahead of Dean Barker’s Emirates Team New Zealand.
Only four races were staged on the second day of Act 9 as the local conditions tested the skills of the race management and the patience of the sailors.
'In the third race they said we were 20cms over... Who can see 20cms?' – Peter Steinacher
“Wind all over the place sums it up,” said Race Director, Phil Lawrence. “When we first went out, the breeze was coming out of the thunderclouds and going round in circles so we had to wait before we could get racing underway.
“We then had a good six-eight knots of breeze out of the SE and managed to get some good races in. Then the thunderclouds started to build again over the city and the wind did a complete 360. We were going round and round trying to lay a course that would be fair for the guys. It was just that kind of day.”
Red Bull Sailing Team’s tactician Hans Peter Steinacher, for one, found it a frustrating business: “Today was really hard, the wind was changing all the time – down, up, down, up,” said. “Twice we started too early and one time we managed to get back to sixth… but this happens.
“In the third race they said we were 20cms over – who can see 20cms?! Sometimes you have bad luck but you have to say ‘OK, we're still in touch with the leaders and at the moment we are still at the front’ – but it is not easy!”
Meanwhile in the title race, Luna Rossa edged out Groupe Edmond de Rothschild to take the initiative.
“I'm really happy because normally in these conditions we struggle a little bit but today we managed to sail well,” said Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena. “We are happy to be in front and we just have to do the same in the next three days.
But no one is underestimating the French team’s ability, as Pierre Pennec’s team are at their best when their backs are to the wall and can quickly rally and turn the tables their adversary.
The Extreme Sailing skippers pose for a group photo while waiting for the start © Lloyd Images
Extreme Sailing Series: Act 9: Singapore
(after 9 races)
1 Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT)
2 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZ)
3 Prada Luna Rossa (ITA)
4 Oman Air (Oman)
5 Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA)
6 Alinghi (SUI)
7 The Wave Muscat (Oman)
8 GAC Pindar (GBR)
9 The First Club (FRA)
10 Team Tilt (SUI)
Watch the action live on www.extremesailingseries.com from 5:30am GMT.
Want more?
- Visit Red Bull Extreme Sailing's website
- More Extreme Sailing on redbull.com
- Official website for the Extreme Sailing Series
- More Extreme Sailing videos
- More Red Bull water sports
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