Oman

We go again!

13 March, 2018

The Muscat waterway in Oman will again be in the spotlight over the next four days for the opening of the 2018 Extreme Sailing Series season. Seven international teams, most of them familiar from the circuit, are preparing to fight hard on their respective GC32s. Given the expected classic wind conditions, let's see if the crew changes made by some teams will pay off or if continuity will bear fruit. In Alinghi’s case, the team has gone with the latter option, putting an emphasis on stability. The technical team finalised the preparation of the boat late February-early March, to allow the sailors to find their machine gleaming and as good as new last Wednesday for the resumption of training after the winter break. Sharp, motivated and full of ideas, the team delivers on video! To discover the final touch made by João, click here. For Tim's physical preparation, click here. And for Nils's Ambitious Objective, click here! As for Nicolas and Arnaud, they will tell you what's new on board. To follow the races, which will be held from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 March, from 2 to 5pm local time (UTC + 4, 3h more than in Switzerland), there are the following options: Live > via our website (races modeled in 3D Wednesday and Thursday, then live video on Friday and Saturday) > via our Twitter account @teamalinghi (results published after each race with some photos and short video moments) On demand > On Facebook and Instagram for video interviews and photos > On our website for news and replays of the races The general classification will be updated as the races unfold and will be available here. Event hashtags #GoAlinghiGo // #Extremesailing To find out more extremesailingseries.com If you want to know more about the race tracking system, the team composition and the race in general, you can find the event recap here. Photos credit : Alinghi

It's 'TBC' as to how the top three will be ordered

10 March, 2017

On the eve of the outcome of this Act 1 of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series in Oman, the competition between the top three is fiercer than even yesterday. After 21 races, only four points separate SAP Extreme Sailing Team, Oman Air and Alinghi. We shall find out tomorrow, when, after the last race, the winner's name will be etched on the trophy. Things are so close that it could be a tie, but there's a rule for that: The boat best placed in the last race wins. It could come down to it... Alinghi's youngest sailor, Tim Lapauw, joined the team's coach to shed some light on this busy day, and the tactics for tomorrow. Tim Lapauw, foil trimmer: "It was super conditions in Oman for this penultimate day. The wind blew between 10 and 13 knots, which enabled us to do nine races, a record for one afternoon. I think we're all going to sleep well tonight! "We are third overall, ready and waiting for SAP and Oman Air ahead of us. Red Bull are now a bit further back after a disqualification for a false start under the black flag rule, the equivalent of 12 points lost, and also suffered of less consistency at the front. In terms of Alinghi, we had a great start to the day, moving to the top of the general standings after a couple of wins. They were then followed by a few fourth and fifth place finishes, which dropped us down the table, but we're still only three points off Oman Air in second, and four behind SAP, who lead. As always, it's tight and it will be decided tomorrow. We will give everything, because we are here to win!" Pierre-Yves Jorand, coach: "Consistency, consistency, consistency – that's the key to success tomorrow. The team that finishes in the top three in the races most regularly will be the one that prevails. If the weather tomorrow is as favorable as it was today, there will be about 80 points on offer, which is a lot. It will be necessary to remain concentrated for three hours and leave no room for a possible slump. "For example, today, the challenge lay in the mid-afternoon change to the type of start and to the course. It was therefore necessary to review our starting procedure methods and our subsequent strategies. In this game you have to adapt, and fast. If you don't, as some teams found, points can be lost. "Finally, as we enter the fourth day, the physical condition becomes key, and not just the sailors, but the boat's materials too. As far as we are concerned, we arrived for some twenty days of sailing here in Oman. As we approach the end, the muscles are on fire and the boat's materials are getting close too. You can see the proof of this in how many teams needed maintenance periods in between each run. These GC32s are absolutely fantastic boats, but their complicated mechanics require a lot of maintenance. Tomorrow it will be a matter of having sailors well rested and a boat perfectly prepared. The team is already in bed after dinner at 6:30 pm and with João and David our boat is in excellent hands." For tomorrow Saturday, check back at 1:30pm (local time) for the final day of this Act 1 broadcast live video on Facebook and Youtube. The awards' ceremony will be held at 5:30 pm (local time). After 21 races, the overall standings of Act 1 of the 2017 ESS in Oman (12 points are awarded for a 1st place, 11 points for a 2nd, 10 points for a third etc.) read: 1st - SAP EXTREME SAILING TEAM (DEN): 116 points after the 2nd day + places today of 1st + 2nd + 4th + 3rd + 2nd + 6th + 1st + 4th + 2nd> 208 points 2nd - OMAN AIR (OMA): 117 pts + 4th, 5th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 6th> 207 points 3rd - ALINGHI (SUI): 114 pts + 3rd + 1st + 1st + 5th + 4th, 4th, 5th, 3rd, 1st> 204 points 4th - RED BULL SAILING TEAM (AUT): 116 pts + 5th + 4th + 8th + 8th + disqualified for premature start + 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 8th> 185 points 5th - TEAM TILT (SUI): 93 pts + 2nd + 7th + 5th + 6th + 5th + 1st + 4th + 5th + 4th> 171 points Find all the results at: www.extremesailingseries.com/results THE RECAP What: 1st stage of the Extreme Sailing Series ™ 2017 circuit comprising eight events, in eight host cities, on three continents Who: Nine international teams, each composed of five team members Where: Muscat, Oman
When: Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th March How: Teams compete over short courses in front of the public on a 32 foot foiling catamaran: the GC32 Tracking the racing Follow the Alinghi team from the 8th to 11th of March (up to 10 races each afternoon – but be aware of the time difference: GMT + 4 hours, + 3 hours compared to Swiss time): Online, via the Alinghi homepage (www.alinghi.com) or at www.extremesailingseries.com > Races modeled in 3D from 9th to the 11th of March > Live video on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th afternoon (from the beginning of the races, until the end) > Replays available at the end of the races On Twitter @alinghiteam > Thread after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi and Instagram @alinghi > Video and video interviews throughout the regatta Alinghi's GC32 Crew Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Headsail trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI) Foil Adjuster: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Tactician and mainsail trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Helm, co-skipper: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Technical team João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Coach and Team Leader Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI) To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Hashtags for the event #GoAlinghiGo #Extremesailing Photo credit
 © Lloyd Images

It's tight at the top in Oman!

9 March, 2017

At the midway point of racing in Oman, four boats are competing at the top of the rankings having widened the gap on their pursuers. Oman Air took the lead tonight, just one point ahead of Red Bull Sailing Team alongside SAP Sailing Team. Alinghi lies in wait, two points behind. As Nicolas (tactician) said yesterday, in the ESS a single race can upset the order, so it is not wise to think that anything is settled, either way. With each place worth a point, with several races per day, and with four contenders for victory not accustomed to easing the pressure on one another, the battle for the top is expected to rage until the last race of Saturday, a race that has the added interest of counting for double points. Nils Frei, headsail trimmer: "This second day of racing started with 10-11 knots of wind, but it quickly faded to seven. In other words, it was a real day of light wind, with a flat sea, little foiling and gentle passing manoeuvres in the afternoon. "We were still able to run five races with us recording three third place finishes, one fifth and then a first in the last race of the day. Now that we have opened our account for wins this season, it's our job to increase the balance! "Overall, it has been a good series for us. We achieved the second best performance of the day (after Oman Air) and nibbled away at those ahead of us. That said, we can still sail better. I think we were at a slightly higher level at the end of last year, so we have to continue to refine a few small points to once again be at the top. Anyway, everything remains open over the next two days given the small gap separating the top four - we have to treat each race as a blank slate." Tomorrow, Friday, the start of the first possible race has been advanced to 1pm due to lighter weather forecast than today. Here's hoping that the wind up when the teams line up! The live video online will start at the beginning of the regattas. After day two, the general classification after 12 races (12 points are awarded for a 1st place, 11 points for a 2nd, 10 points for a third etc.) reads: 1st - Oman Air (OMA): 65 points after the 1st day + places today of 4th, 4th, 2nd, 1st, 2nd> 117 points 2nd - Red Bull S.T. (AUT): 68 pts + 2nd + 2nd + 4th + 6th + 3rd> 116 points 3rd - SAP Extreme S.T. (DEN): 69 pts + 1st + 6th + 1st + 2nd + 8th> 116 points 4th - Alinghi (SUI): 64 pts + 5th + 3rd + 3rd + 3rd + 1st> 114 points 5th - Team Tilt (SUI): 54 pts + 8th + 1st + 5th + 5th + 7th> 93 points Find all the results at: www.extremesailingseries.com/results THE RECAP What: 1st stage of the Extreme Sailing Series ™ 2017 circuit comprising eight events, in eight host cities, on three continents Who: Nine international teams, each composed of five team members Where: Muscat, Oman
When: Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th March How: Teams compete over short courses in front of the public on a 32 foot foiling catamaran: the GC32 Tracking the racing Follow the Alinghi team from the 8th to 11th of March (up to 10 races each afternoon – but be aware of the time difference: GMT + 4 hours, + 3 hours compared to Swiss time): Online, via the Alinghi homepage (www.alinghi.com) or at www.extremesailingseries.com > Races modeled in 3D from 9th to the 11th of March > 3hrs of live images on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th afternoon (from the beginning of the races, until the end) > Replays available at the end of the races On Twitter @alinghiteam > Thread after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi and Instagram @alinghi > Video and video interviews throughout the regatta Alinghi's GC32 Crew Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Headsail trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI) Foil Adjuster: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Tactician and mainsail trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Helm, co-skipper: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Technical team João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Coach and Team Leader Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI) To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Hashtags for the event #GoAlinghiGo #Extremesailing Photo credit
 © Lloyd Images

Adjustments and new benchmarks incoming

8 March, 2017

We start again once more and things are (almost) the same! The same flying boats as in 2016, almost the same opponents, the same type of racing format - tight and thrilling - but it is a new season where everything remains for Alinghi to achieve the double after the victory last December in Sydney in the Extreme Sailing Series. Nicolas Charbonnier, tactician and mainsail trimmer: "Here we are! After several days of work on the boat, two training sessions and, of course, the inaugural GC32 championship, today we began the first stage of a circuit that will take in eight venues on three continents." The format of the Extreme Sailing Series is unique in that combines high-level regattas with racing that is conducted close to the shore, meaning a spectacle for the public and for the teams' partners. It is also intended that it offers beautiful images and coverage for worldwide broadcast. To achieve this, we sailors sometimes have to travel a certain distance to reach a particularly spectacular backdrop, which ticks these boxes. That was the case today. "We had to make a long journey back and forth to sail in front of the Sultan's palace in Muttrah. Between the two, ran seven races in beautiful conditions that were typical of the Muscat region. The 15-17 knots of midday wind raised a lot of waves...waves that remained when the wind fell to 10 knots, to complicate our task! In the end, it is far from being our best day, but the positive point is that we are only five points off first place and, in the Extreme Sailing Series, five points can be made up in a single race!" Arnaud Psarofaghis, helmsman and co-skipper: "In terms of how we sailed there are some things we can improve upon. At times, we allowed ourselves, a little too much, to get caught up in traffic (when we sail amidst all of the other boats) and everything becomes more difficult. The manoeuvres we need to carry out are too dangerous, we have to deal with bad air from our opponents sails and we are naturally restricted by the presence of other vessels. "The strategy of choosing a side on the line and positioning ourselves was important. After having chosen to go port on the first two starts to phase out the issue of the fleet, we opted for departures to starboard, bringing us to the left of the race area and this is clearly what worked today. "Then we had to deal with a rather classic pattern. When you have a tough start in this compact fleet and at this high level, there are few opportunities to regain the advantage. You have to be patient and make the right choices. When we saw our position and the points difference at the end of the day, we were expecting worse, to be honest. So, yes we are disappointed not to have sailed better, but it was quite difficult for everyone. Tomorrow, we will adjust those few points I mentioned and everything will be better!" Check back tomorrow at 2pm (local time) for potentially 10 new races planned for the programme. After the first seven races (12 points are awarded for a 1st place, 11 points for a 2nd, 10 points for a third etc.) the overall standings are: 1st - SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN): 1st, 6th, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 5th, 6th> 69 points 2nd - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): 3rd, 3rd, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 4th, 4th> 68 points 3rd - Oman Air (OMA): 5th, 7th, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, 1st, 3rd> 65 points 4th - Alinghi (SUI): 6th, 2nd, 5th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 2nd> 64 points Find all the results at: www.extremesailingseries.com/results THE RECAP What: 1st stage of the Extreme Sailing Series ™ 2017 circuit comprising eight events, in eight host cities, on three continents Who: Nine international teams, each composed of five team members Where: Muscat, Oman
When: Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th March How: Teams compete over short courses in front of the public on a 32 foot foiling catamaran: the GC32 Tracking the racing Follow the Alinghi team from the 8th to 11th of March (up to 10 races each afternoon – but be aware of the time difference: GMT + 4 hours, + 3 hours compared to Swiss time): Online, via the Alinghi homepage (www.alinghi.com) or at www.extremesailingseries.com > Races modeled in 3D from 9th to the 11th of March
> 3hrs of live images on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th afternoon (from 2pm to 5pm local time) > Replays available at the end of the races On Twitter @alinghiteam
> Thread after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi and Instagram @alinghi
> Video and video interviews throughout the regatta Alinghi's GC32 Crew Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Headsail trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI) Foil Adjuster: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Tactician and mainsail trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Helm, co-skipper: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Technical team João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Coach and Team Leader Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI) To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Hashtags for the event #GoAlinghiGo #Extremesailing Photo credit
 © Lloyd Images

Unexpected conditions and competing styles make for happy sailors

4 March, 2017

This afternoon, on the fourth day of racing in this GC32 Championship, the wind was more than was forecast (6-7 knots), allowing the boats to foil downwind. The wind finally faded by the day's fifth race, the finish of which was just 21 seconds over the 35 minutes deadline as set by the race committee. It was Land Rover BAR Academy who narrowly lost out on the win in what was to be the day's final race. Nils Frei, headsail trimmer: "We are happy with this fourth day of racing. We were concerned about the prospect of a dead calm (little or no wind) because it was very hot this morning and when it was warm, the wind struggle to settle. In the end we were able to do four races in 7 to 10 knots. "With windward starts today, which was different to previous days when we launching 'reaching', with the wind on the side of the boat, it was certainly more interesting strategically. It gave us more options and it enabled us to get back to classic tactics - the first leg of the course facing the wind, the return with the wind with us. "With our 7, 4, 5 and 2 places, we maintain our third place on the podium, ten points ahead of 4th (Red Bull Sailing Team), seven behind second (SAP). It is true that Oman Air and SAP have taken a little lead ahead, but we have, at the same time widened the gap on our pursuers. So in the end, it's a positive day. " With Ernesto Bertarelli very involved in running a large and dynamic business, the Alinghi Team needs an additional sailor to accommodate sudden commitments to be fulfilled by his skipper. When Ernesto is helming, it does not mean holiday for the reserve sailor, far from it. Instead, he can observe the racing, monitor the team's performance and then offer advice. This week it was Nicolas on the role alongside team coach Pierre-Yves Jorand. Nicolas Charbonnier, co-tactician / mainsail trimmer: "Being in the follow boat, the view is totally different. I was aboard the GC32 throughout the 2016 season but I have to say that having an outside eye is very interesting at several levels. It is much easier to see the sail settings and you have a better vision of the whole fleet and how it evolves during the manoeuvres, after which it's easier to compare notes. "Since Tuesday, I have noticed two major facts. Our team has serious assets and Ernesto has done a fantastic job at the helm by assimilating, in a few hours of training, what we learnt during a whole season last year (Ernesto not been on board the GC32 since the Extreme Sailing Series Act 1 in March 2016). But, to be quite honest, even if it is an interesting and instructive exercise to be on the rubber boat, I prefer to be on board the GC32!" Misfortune for one, happiness for the other, a schedule overlap compelled Ernesto to head back to Europe tonight. Therefore, Nicolas will be on board with Arnaud, Nils, Tim and Yves for the closing of the first GC32 class championship. See you tomorrow at 1 pm (local time) for the final day in Muscat.   After Day 4 and fourteen races sailed, the overall standings read (with one point for first, two for second, and so on): 1st - Oman Air (OMA) : 2, 3, 7, 1, 1, 3, 1, 4, 5, 7, 6, 1, 2, 1 > 44 points 2 nd - SAP Extreme S.T. (DEN) : 7, 2, 1, 5, 2, 4, 12, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 3, 7 > 51 points 3rd - Alinghi (SUI) : 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 2, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 4, 5, 2 > 58 points 4th - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) : 8, 8, 2, 7, 6, 8, 2, 2, 4, 8, 4, 2, 1, 6 > 68 points 5 th - Team Tilt (SUI) : 1, 6, 4, 2, 5, 1, 12, 3, 7, 5, 9, 6, 9, 3 > 73 points 6 th - Team Engie (FRA) : 4, 1, 5, 3, 7, 5, 6, 8, 10, 1, 2, 5, 6, 10 > 73 points Find all results on: https://www.gc32championship.com/results/ A RECAP What: The very first annual GC32 class championship, bringing together teams from the Extreme Sailing Series and the GC32 Racing Tour, as well as those who simply run a GC32 Who: 11 international teams, each with five members Where: Al Mouj, Muscat, Oman When: Tuesday 28th of February to Sunday 5th of March, 2017 How: The teams will compete in a race around marked buoys aboard their one-design 32ft long foiling catamarans – the GC32 Follow the action There are five different ways to follow Alinghi during the championship, with each day featuring up to five races each afternoon, starting at 1pm local time (GMT + 4, CET + 3) News, photos and video clips www.alinghi.com www.gc32championship.com On Twitter @alinghiteam > Updates after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi and Instagram @alinghi > Interviews, photos and videos Alinghi's GC32 crew Helm and skipper: Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) Tactician and mainsail trimmer, helm on the last day: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Co-tactician and mainsail trimmer on the last day: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Headsail trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI) Foil trimmer and grinder: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Technical Team João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Coach and team leader Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI) To find out more www.gc32championship.com Event Hashtags #GoAlinghiGo #GC32championship Photo Credit ©Lloyd Images