Tanguy Cariou’s Alinghi improves, Ben Ainslie’s Oman Air retains lead: Extreme Sailing Series Act 8
Second day of the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series Act 8 at the port of Almeria in the region of Andalusia started with a moderate breeze which gusted around the racing area up to six knots. The conditions dropped down to four knots around the port as the day
ended featuring Ben Ainslie’s Oman Air on top again.
On the other hand, Switzerland’s Alinghi, skippered by Tanguy Cariou jumped up in the overall standings at the end of Day 2. The Swiss team were placed ninth at the conclusion of first day’s racing, but they sailed impressively on second to make their way
two podiums up at seventh place.
With a splendid performance in the first three races by clinching first position in all of them, Alinghi’s crew was marking for a third place finish on Day 2 but unfortunately, the stadium race was not according to their wishes. However, skipper helm Alinghi,
Tanguy Cariou is satisfied with the team’s improvement and hopes to make it better in upcoming races.
Cariou, while speaking to reporters said, “Everything was perfect in the first three races, from the starts to tactics and boat speed, we couldn’t really dream of a better scenario. Unfortunately, the stadium race didn’t work as well for us. It seems difficult
to find the right way to work as a team, to find our rhythm. In terms of wind, the worst is behind us. We should have good sailing conditions from tomorrow, which we are all looking forward to.”
Following are the overall standings of the event at the end of Day 2 at Almeria:
1. Oman Air (OMA), Ben Ainslie, Kinley Fowler, David Carr, Nasser Al Mashari = 72 points
2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Adam Beashel, Ray Davies, Jeremy Lomas, Derek Seward = 69 points
3. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), Pierre Pennec, Christophe Espagnon, Thierry Fouchier, Hervé Cunningham = 64 points
4. The Wave, Muscat (OMA), Leigh McMillan, Kyle Langford, Nick Hutton, Khamis Al Anbouri = 60 points
5. Team GAC Pindar (GBR), Ian Williams, Mischa Heemrskerk, Andrew Walsh, Brad Webb = 55 points
6. Luna Rossa (ITA), Max Sirena, Paul Campbell-James, Alister Richardson, Manuel Modena = 54 points
7. Alinghi (SUI), Tanguy Cariou, Yann Guichard, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey = 52 points
8. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT), Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Matt Adams, Craig Monk = 48 points
9. Niceforyou (ITA), Alberto Barovier, Stefano Rizzi, Daniele De Luca, Simone de Mari = 41 points
10. Team Extreme (EUR), Roland Gaebler, Nahid Gaebler, Antón Paz, Tom Buggy = 40 points
11. Team TILT (SUI), Alex Schneiter, Boet Brinkgreve, Charles Favre, Nicolas Heintz = 32 points
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