Sunday, March 12, 2017
GC32 - Extreme Sailing Series - Act 1 - Muscat OMN - Final results
After five days with light to moderate winds, a fresh breeze around 25 kn filled in and the sea was quite choppy on the last day of the Oman Extreme Sailing Series Act 1. Racing was spectacular and the GC32 Cats races at top speeds above 30 kn ! 'SAP Racing Team' with Adam Minoprio NZL, finishing all races of the day in the top-3, defended her first place. 'Alinghi' with Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI advanced on the 2nd place overall thanks to a 2nd place in the final double-points heat. The home team of 'Oman Air' with Phil Robertson NZL follows on rank 3. Winner of the last race was Sébastien Schneiter SUI with 'Team Tilt', but the 'Red Bull Sailing Team' of Roman Hagara AUT as 3rd in the last race successfully defended her 4th place overall against Schneiter and the youngsters from Lake Geneva remaining 5th, complementing 'Alinghi's' 2nd position for their Club, the two-times America's Cup winner Société Nautique of Geneva.
The ranking list, the final report and the impressive video of the last day.
Seven races were completed on the third day of the Oman Extreme Sailing Series Regatta in a moderate seabreeze with frequent overall leader changes during the day. The top teams are now very close together before the crucial final races today, with the last heat awarding double points. 'SAP Racing Team' with Adam Minoprio NZL has taken the lead just one point ahead of 'Oman Air' with Phil Robertson NZL. Only 4 points back 'Alinghi' with Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI is still a strong contender for victory. 'Red Bull' (Roman Hagara AUT) was relegated on rank 4 after a blackflag disqualification and is now much too far from winning overall. The first 'Youth' squad with Sébastien Schneiter SUI and his 'Team Tilt' is on rank 5, again with a race win yesterday. 
'Oman Air' with Phil Robertson NZL, winner of the GC32 Class Championship last week, has taken the overall lead in Act 1 of the Supreme Sailing Series after yesterday's five races. The former leader 'SAP Racing Team' with Adam Minoprio NZL dropped on rank 3 after an 8th-place finish in the last race, behind 'Red Bull Sailing Team' now 2nd. 'Alinghi' with Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI won this last heat sailed in very light winds and is on 4th overall only 3 points behind the leader. Sébastien Schneiter SUI and his 'Team Tilt' won a race as well and advanced on rank 5 as best of the Youth America's Cup contenders. 
The Extreme Sailing Series 2017 was kicked-off yesterday in Muscat/OMN with Act 1 sailed in good conditions with an up to 15 kn seabreeze, and 7 races were concluded. 
The first Act of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series begins today in Muscat/Oman. After the GC32 Class Championship last week, the teams are again up to speed, and spectacular races can be expected. The favorite team is without doubt the just crowned Class Champion 'Oman Air' with Phil Robertson NZL. But the defending Sailing Series Champion 'Alinghi', sailing with the top crew with Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI steering will certainly have her say. 'SAP Racing Team' (Adam Minoprio NZL) or 'Red Bull Sailing Team' (Roman Hagara AUT) showed their ambitions during the Championship and will endeavour to challenge the top favorites. For the first time starting in the Extreme Sailing Series is 'Team Tilt' with Sébastien Schneiter SUI, the Swiss Youth America's Cup participant, who was on the excellent 5th place (2 race wins) in the Championship last week. 'Tawera Racing' NZL, the 'NZL Sailing Team' and 'Land Rover BAR Academy' GBR are the other three youth teams aiming to improve their high-speed foiling skills in view of the Youth America's Cup in summer. 
