Ben Ainslie’s Oman Air takes early lead on Day 1 of 2011 Extreme Sailing Series Act 8
Great Britain’s Ben Ainslie and crew sailed impressively on the first day of 2011 Extreme Sailing Series Act 8 to grab an early lead in the event. Oman Air skippered by Ainslie finished first with 39 points after four races. Ainslie’s Oman Air clinched two
races on the opening day to hit the leading spot.
The overall Extreme Sailing Series leaderboard, France’s Groupe Edmond de Rothschild secured second place with 31 points while Emirates Team New Zealand skippered by Adam Beashel were able to occupy third spot with just a one point difference from the French
team at 30 points.
Following are the overall Extreme Sailing Series Act 8 standings after four races:
1. Oman Air (OMA), Ben Ainslie, Kinley Fowler, David Carr, Nasser Al Mashari = 39 points
2. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), Pierre Pennec, Christophe Espagnon, Thierry Fouchier, Hervé Cunningham = 31 points
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Adam Beashel, Ray Davies, Jeremy Lomas, Derek Seward = 30 points
4. Team GAC Pindar (GBR), Ian Williams, Mischa Heemrskerk, Andrew Walsh, Brad Webb = 30 points
5. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT), Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Matt Adams, Craig Monk = 28 points
6. Luna Rossa (ITA), Max Sirena, Paul Campbell-James, Alister Richardson, Manuel Modena = 26 points
7. Niceforyou (ITA), Alberto Barovier, Stefano Rizzi, Daniele De Luca, Simone de Mari = 20 points
8. The Wave, Muscat (OMA), Leigh McMillan, Kyle Langford, Nick Hutton, Khamis Al Anbouri = 18 points
9. Alinghi (SUI), Tanguy Cariou, Yann Guichard, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey = 14 points
10. Team TILT (SUI), Alex Schneiter, Boet Brinkgreve, Charles Favre, Nicolas Heintz = 14 points
11. Team Extreme (EUR), Roland Gaebler, Nahid Gaebler, Antón Paz, Tom Buggy = 13 points
Weather conditions on the first day were lower, as a lighter breeze gusted around the racing area in the start of Day 1. Lighter winds made it difficult to have a complete race, however, all 11 Extreme 40 yachts made it to the finish line in all four races.
Switzerland’s debuting team, Team TILT, began their tournament campaign slowly with tenth position on the score board while Team Extreme, with a new trimmer, Anton Paz on board, finished last on the opening day of the penultimate Extreme Sailing Series event.
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