Leigh McMillan of The Wave, Muscat ready as Extreme Sailing Series starts in Cowes
The famous award winning sailing tournament, Extreme Sailing Series, has once again hit the Cowes waters for the fifth straight year where the Solent will be hosting a nine-event Extreme Sailing Series.
All the big names in extreme sailing will be participating in the event including Emirates Team New Zealand and The Wave, Muscat, despite a clashing schedule with the America’s Cup World Series.
There will be 12 Extreme 40 yachts from around the world sailed by top sailors from 15 different countries. The Wave, Muscat skipper, Leigh McMillan, is excited to be back in Cowes and is ready to
sail in the event. The event will commence from August 6 for seven days with the fleet of 48 sailors at Cowes.
While speaking to the local media, McMillan said, “Last year in Cowes we had some insane conditions, blowing 20 to 25 knots on some days. So we are prepared for something similar again this year.
Seven days of racing will probably be the hardest sailing we will do this year but I'm thrilled to be sailing again in front of the crowds.”
This year, the new sponsor of Cowes Week, Aberdeen Asset Management, will also take part in the race with their own team. The Aberdeen team will be skippered by John Pink who was a contender in British
Olympic 49er class. He will be joined by his old time fellows in 49er crew, Rick Peacock.
Pink spoke to the reporters, “I was proud to be asked to take the helm of Aberdeen's first Extreme 40 entry as they are incredibly exciting both to sail and to watch and I look forward to hopefully
bringing home success for Aberdeen at Cowes.”
The overall standings of Extreme Sailing Series in 2011 Season are given below.
1st. Emirates Team New Zealand, Dean Barker = 39 points
2nd. Artemis Racing, Terry Hutchinson = 37 points
3rd. Groupe Edmond De Rothschild, Pierre Pennec = 36 points
4th. Luna Rossa, Max Sirena = 33 points
5th. Red Bull Extreme Sailing, Roman Hagara = 28 points
6th. The Wave, Muscat, Leigh McMillan = 27 points
7th. Alinghi, Tanguy Cariou = 24 points
8th. Oman Air, Sidney Gavignet = 15 points
9th. Team Extreme, Roland Gaebler = 9 points
10th. Niceforyou, lberto Barovier = 9 points
11th. Team GAC Pindar, Ian Williams = 7 points
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