X-Series Global Stadium Racing Circuit Hits Russia
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| Image Extreme World Sailing Series: Red Bull, Land Rover, Oman Air fight for the lead overall ranking, lots of water to go. |
Act 5 of the Extreme Sailing Series kicks off September 1 and speed foiling catamarans will hit the waters of St. Petersburg Russia. The Stadium-designed Speed Sail Showdown is expected to continue its way towards improvements. Wildcards have been confirmed and with a new CEO things are expected to heat up.
On August 18 Team Russia announced that it is ready for a comeback to the Extreme Sailing Series. The Wildcard Team is not an unfamiliar face to the world of really fast paced sailing. Led by Phil Robertson Team Gazprom Russia is dedicated to taking St. Petersburg.
A crowd is expected to cheer for the local Team which has a fresh new victory in no other than the World Match Racing Tour -another spèed addict sail game.
The waters of the Neva River which will be accommodated for Stadium Sailing will light up for the Wildcards and the usual suspects, Oman Air, Red Bull, SAP Sailing, Land Rover, China One and other speedsters.
For those who are familiar and for those who are not familiar with the Extreme Sailing Series, its tour is one worth watching closely. With 8 Stops scheduled in the most incredible locations of the World the Series is just out from a complete renovation. In 2015 the Series changed the boat to the new boat GC32. The boat goes faster and is more stable. Inspired by America's Cup the Series is after Foiling success. But those who have been following the Series know that there is still much room for the Teams to grow. They have been riding these monsters for only a few months and while experienced as they may be sails can be trimmed weights can be balanced and new record speeds can be broken. The art of trimming the GC32s is just warming its engine. On the other hand this year the Teams have not encountered winds above the bar, the kind needed to take these foiling multihulls to a new sailing dimension. While winds have been consistent if mother nature kicks in the GC32s will simply fly.
The adrenaline rush is ready and set at St. Petersburg Russia.
Team Russia is fired up and ready to go. Its crew are all very accomplished as well.
“With a crew of familiar faces, Robertson is joined by his World Match Racing Tour teammate, and former GAC Pindar Extreme 40 skipper, Will Tiller. Shane Diviney, who competed onboard CHINA One for three Acts of the 2016 season, and accomplished Russian RC44 sailors Alex Kulakov and Victor Serezhkin, will also join the team,” Organizers warned.
But can Team Russia steal the success from the leaders of the Overall Tour Ranking? Oman Air leading the board followed closely by Red Bull will definitely put up a fight.
Team Russia has much to prove. Team Alnghi ranks 3rd, SAP ranks 4th, Land Rover ranks 5th, China One ranks in position 6, Sail Portugal follows in 7th position and finally Team Turx is laid back in the 8th and final position. They have been going at it since the year started and are out for the glory of the Series.
Team Russia assures that they are no stranger to the series despite launching their project in mid-season. They assured that they will “play tactical Stadium racecourse tight” and that they are getting familiar with the GC32.
“We are shaking in our boots!” Robertson leading the Team laughed.
“All the teams have quite a few races under their belts but hopefully we get some puff and can get up on the get away sticks, and teach the old dogs of the Extreme Sailing Series some new tricks!” Robertson kicked it.
Almost 17 thousand hardcore fans went online to check out the new GC32 when it was first announced to replace the Extreme 40 11 months ago and the news spread to the International Sailing Community fast. Designers assured that “foiling” was the “future of sailing”.
Extreme Sailing Series continues to be focused on the future and continues investing in foiling and the switch to Stadium Racing Sailing Arenas.
Mid-August this year they appointed Canadian John Craig as the new Race Director for the Global Stadium Racing Circuit.
The new CEO acted as the Principal Race Officer for the 34th America’s Cup that took place in San Francisco, USA as well for the America’s Cup World Series. He is known in the circuit as a World Renowned International Race Official”. His credential also list development of World Sailing’s (formerly ISAF) Sailing World Cup and most recently was Race Director for the Red Bull Foiling Generation. “Serious Speed” should be John Craig´s middle names.
“The direction of the sport is foiling and with the change in boats for the Extreme Sailing Series, I am really excited about the opportunity to fill Phil’s boots and bring some of the elements I’ve learnt through the America’s Cup and the Foiling Generation to help here,” Craig -Former Coach to the Canadian Olympic sailing team jumped into position..
Craig is looking to push the Series forward in broadcasting and assures to be a fan of it since 2011.
“We have an extremely strong Race Management team who have a huge amount of experience in delivering the fast-paced and unique Stadium Racing,” Craig added.
Extreme Sailing Series not only has a full agenda for the rest of the year but is already taking on the Calendar for 2017. Organizers hinted that new venues will see new changes and ocean Stadium will literally be “opened up” to “embrace the foiling spirit”.
Red Bull is training hard to take over the lead which is closely guarded by Oman Air but Team Russia says they have an inside card on the leaders.
Team Russia leader Robertson explains that while now rivals both -Oman Air´s James Wierzbowski and Red Bull Sailing Team’s Stewart Dodson were teammates just last month. The three which now sail in different teams took the Podium of the World Match Racing Tour together as Teammates. Will this add rivalry to the show? Robertson's joked and said he plans to use all knowledge he has on his former teammates to take them down.
“They are both great guys and really fun to sail with. I have raced against both of them in the past so nothing really changes there,” said Robertson. “I now know their weaknesses though and hopefully they didn’t pick up on mine.”
Racing as locals Team Russia is expected to receive the full display of cheers from the ground.
The action in St Petersburg was set to kickstart 1 September. The race is Free-to-Enter. With an incredible view in the back of the Peter and Paul Fortress who would want to miss out on it?
One thing is clear the Oman Air, Red BUll, Land Rover, SAP, China One, Portugal, Team Russia and others will be there.
Currents of the St. Petersburg river are strong averaging 2 knots. Wind conditions “shifty”. “When the wind funnels down the river from the west it can blow really hard,” Organizers said but actually really meant to say that if that wind picks up things could get really serious, really fast. GC32s can capsize easily, they also tend to pick up tremendous speed and foil rise but when hit by a wave or altered by wind direction or a shift of the rudders or sail their nose can drop into the ocean heavily. It is obvious that these type of shaky maneuvers which have become a trend in each Extreme Sailing Series event of the year are a direct symbol of how Teams are still yet to completely familiarize themselves with the boats.
However, that said, no matter which way you see it, when wind picks up foiling multihulls despite their stable design are known to crash, capsize, flip, drag, nose dip and cause a rush. Will the St. Petersburg show have some of that action? That is granted for sure it is all part of the race. Specially around the buoy marks when Teams compete for turns and positions and direction shift dominates over stability and speed.
But the show will not end in St. Petersburg. Next Stop of the World Tour for the GC32s is Madeira Islands -September, Lisboa -October and Series end and Crowning in Australia -December 8.
Red BUll is proud holder of their second position. The Team says that they have worked hard to get there and shows no signs of retreating. In the Hamburg Spot where double points where up for the grab Red Bull clawed its way to second and third in days of strong regatta. This earned then the deserved second position.
The Team is confident they will continue to find their form when it is needed the most. Red Bull Team known for the crazy sailing is not afraid of low winds and says they can outperform in those conditions if needed -not a really hard statement to make. In fact in foiling multihulls sailing there is really no “light wind” conditions. Even a small 5 to 10 knot breeze will knock out the hull out of the water and make the GC32 fly. Just imagine what the GC32 can do in 25 knots or have your mind-bend by thinking about them flying with 40 knot storms.
Two Time America's Cup winner Alinghi Team is also in for the battle while Oman Air remains mystically silent. It seems they keep their words, games and cards close to their chest.
In Russia on September 1? Make a calendar reminder: "DON'T MISS EXTREME SERIES St. Petersburg". Not in Russia? Don't worry make it any way the Extreme Sailing Series will be fed live to the World online.
On August 18 Team Russia announced that it is ready for a comeback to the Extreme Sailing Series. The Wildcard Team is not an unfamiliar face to the world of really fast paced sailing. Led by Phil Robertson Team Gazprom Russia is dedicated to taking St. Petersburg.
A crowd is expected to cheer for the local Team which has a fresh new victory in no other than the World Match Racing Tour -another spèed addict sail game.
The waters of the Neva River which will be accommodated for Stadium Sailing will light up for the Wildcards and the usual suspects, Oman Air, Red Bull, SAP Sailing, Land Rover, China One and other speedsters.
For those who are familiar and for those who are not familiar with the Extreme Sailing Series, its tour is one worth watching closely. With 8 Stops scheduled in the most incredible locations of the World the Series is just out from a complete renovation. In 2015 the Series changed the boat to the new boat GC32. The boat goes faster and is more stable. Inspired by America's Cup the Series is after Foiling success. But those who have been following the Series know that there is still much room for the Teams to grow. They have been riding these monsters for only a few months and while experienced as they may be sails can be trimmed weights can be balanced and new record speeds can be broken. The art of trimming the GC32s is just warming its engine. On the other hand this year the Teams have not encountered winds above the bar, the kind needed to take these foiling multihulls to a new sailing dimension. While winds have been consistent if mother nature kicks in the GC32s will simply fly.
The adrenaline rush is ready and set at St. Petersburg Russia.
Team Russia is fired up and ready to go. Its crew are all very accomplished as well.
“With a crew of familiar faces, Robertson is joined by his World Match Racing Tour teammate, and former GAC Pindar Extreme 40 skipper, Will Tiller. Shane Diviney, who competed onboard CHINA One for three Acts of the 2016 season, and accomplished Russian RC44 sailors Alex Kulakov and Victor Serezhkin, will also join the team,” Organizers warned.
But can Team Russia steal the success from the leaders of the Overall Tour Ranking? Oman Air leading the board followed closely by Red Bull will definitely put up a fight.
Team Russia has much to prove. Team Alnghi ranks 3rd, SAP ranks 4th, Land Rover ranks 5th, China One ranks in position 6, Sail Portugal follows in 7th position and finally Team Turx is laid back in the 8th and final position. They have been going at it since the year started and are out for the glory of the Series.
Team Russia assures that they are no stranger to the series despite launching their project in mid-season. They assured that they will “play tactical Stadium racecourse tight” and that they are getting familiar with the GC32.
“We are shaking in our boots!” Robertson leading the Team laughed.
“All the teams have quite a few races under their belts but hopefully we get some puff and can get up on the get away sticks, and teach the old dogs of the Extreme Sailing Series some new tricks!” Robertson kicked it.
Almost 17 thousand hardcore fans went online to check out the new GC32 when it was first announced to replace the Extreme 40 11 months ago and the news spread to the International Sailing Community fast. Designers assured that “foiling” was the “future of sailing”.
Extreme Sailing Series continues to be focused on the future and continues investing in foiling and the switch to Stadium Racing Sailing Arenas.
Mid-August this year they appointed Canadian John Craig as the new Race Director for the Global Stadium Racing Circuit.
The new CEO acted as the Principal Race Officer for the 34th America’s Cup that took place in San Francisco, USA as well for the America’s Cup World Series. He is known in the circuit as a World Renowned International Race Official”. His credential also list development of World Sailing’s (formerly ISAF) Sailing World Cup and most recently was Race Director for the Red Bull Foiling Generation. “Serious Speed” should be John Craig´s middle names.
“The direction of the sport is foiling and with the change in boats for the Extreme Sailing Series, I am really excited about the opportunity to fill Phil’s boots and bring some of the elements I’ve learnt through the America’s Cup and the Foiling Generation to help here,” Craig -Former Coach to the Canadian Olympic sailing team jumped into position..
Craig is looking to push the Series forward in broadcasting and assures to be a fan of it since 2011.
“We have an extremely strong Race Management team who have a huge amount of experience in delivering the fast-paced and unique Stadium Racing,” Craig added.
Extreme Sailing Series not only has a full agenda for the rest of the year but is already taking on the Calendar for 2017. Organizers hinted that new venues will see new changes and ocean Stadium will literally be “opened up” to “embrace the foiling spirit”.
Red Bull is training hard to take over the lead which is closely guarded by Oman Air but Team Russia says they have an inside card on the leaders.
Team Russia leader Robertson explains that while now rivals both -Oman Air´s James Wierzbowski and Red Bull Sailing Team’s Stewart Dodson were teammates just last month. The three which now sail in different teams took the Podium of the World Match Racing Tour together as Teammates. Will this add rivalry to the show? Robertson's joked and said he plans to use all knowledge he has on his former teammates to take them down.
“They are both great guys and really fun to sail with. I have raced against both of them in the past so nothing really changes there,” said Robertson. “I now know their weaknesses though and hopefully they didn’t pick up on mine.”
Racing as locals Team Russia is expected to receive the full display of cheers from the ground.
The action in St Petersburg was set to kickstart 1 September. The race is Free-to-Enter. With an incredible view in the back of the Peter and Paul Fortress who would want to miss out on it?
One thing is clear the Oman Air, Red BUll, Land Rover, SAP, China One, Portugal, Team Russia and others will be there.
Currents of the St. Petersburg river are strong averaging 2 knots. Wind conditions “shifty”. “When the wind funnels down the river from the west it can blow really hard,” Organizers said but actually really meant to say that if that wind picks up things could get really serious, really fast. GC32s can capsize easily, they also tend to pick up tremendous speed and foil rise but when hit by a wave or altered by wind direction or a shift of the rudders or sail their nose can drop into the ocean heavily. It is obvious that these type of shaky maneuvers which have become a trend in each Extreme Sailing Series event of the year are a direct symbol of how Teams are still yet to completely familiarize themselves with the boats.
However, that said, no matter which way you see it, when wind picks up foiling multihulls despite their stable design are known to crash, capsize, flip, drag, nose dip and cause a rush. Will the St. Petersburg show have some of that action? That is granted for sure it is all part of the race. Specially around the buoy marks when Teams compete for turns and positions and direction shift dominates over stability and speed.
But the show will not end in St. Petersburg. Next Stop of the World Tour for the GC32s is Madeira Islands -September, Lisboa -October and Series end and Crowning in Australia -December 8.
Red BUll is proud holder of their second position. The Team says that they have worked hard to get there and shows no signs of retreating. In the Hamburg Spot where double points where up for the grab Red Bull clawed its way to second and third in days of strong regatta. This earned then the deserved second position.
The Team is confident they will continue to find their form when it is needed the most. Red Bull Team known for the crazy sailing is not afraid of low winds and says they can outperform in those conditions if needed -not a really hard statement to make. In fact in foiling multihulls sailing there is really no “light wind” conditions. Even a small 5 to 10 knot breeze will knock out the hull out of the water and make the GC32 fly. Just imagine what the GC32 can do in 25 knots or have your mind-bend by thinking about them flying with 40 knot storms.
Two Time America's Cup winner Alinghi Team is also in for the battle while Oman Air remains mystically silent. It seems they keep their words, games and cards close to their chest.
In Russia on September 1? Make a calendar reminder: "DON'T MISS EXTREME SERIES St. Petersburg". Not in Russia? Don't worry make it any way the Extreme Sailing Series will be fed live to the World online.
