After 29 races, it, once again, came down to the very last run in this Extreme Sailing Series' Act in Cardiff to decide the podium places. With just a single point separating Alinghi and SAP ahead of the deciding race, the Swiss needed, first, to finish ahead of their rivals, but also to keep a keen eye on Oman Air, who, if they'd managed to put three boats between them and the team, could have taken the Act win too. As the fleet crossed the start-line that scenario wasn't too far-fetched. Arnaud Psarofaghis, helmsman, said: "Seeing SAP make an early start on the last race was pretty good for us. Then they came back into the game, but we did not give up and finished right in front of them, to finally win in Cardiff...for the very first time in six visits here! "There are still two Acts to go this season. With our team being only two points ahead of the Danes and the last Act counting for double, we will stay focused until the end and apply the same rigorous method that has got us this far." Nicolas Charbonnier, tactician, said: "It was a complex event with four windy days, incessant changes in position and a difficult start for us following Nils's groin injury during the first run. Our reserve teammate, Bryan Mettraux, joined us on the second day and, little by little, we worked hard to recover the deficit we'd accumulated after the first day. Once again, it proves that nothing is ever finished, even after what seems a bad run of luck." Bryan Mettraux, headsail trimmer, said: "Having been seven points down this morning on SAP, we had to take risks and with four wins on the first runs this afternoon that's where we made the difference." Pierre-Yves Jorand, team director, said: "I'm proud of the team's work this week. Cardiff is a demanding nautical stadium due to its small racing area and shifty wind, especially when it blows four days in a row. In fact, anything can happen at any moment!" While it was a good result for the team - and one that sees them gain a point on their Championship rivals, SAP - everything suggests it could come down to the wire in this 2018 Series. In the meantime, the team is already looking forward to this weekend's D35 racing on the Lake hosted by the Yacht Club de Genève from August 31st to September 2nd.   Click here for the general ranking of Act 5 after 29 races. Event hashtags #GoAlinghiGo // #Extremesailing To find out more extremesailingseries.com If you want to know more about Alinghi's team or just about this regatta in general, you will find all that you need here. Photos credit: Vincent Curutchet / Lloyd Images

Confidence returned to the team in Cardiff with Alinghi very much in the running, neck-and-neck with SAP until the last race. The Danes win this time but the Swiss remain convinced that they can have the last word ...   SAP and Alinghi were the main players all afternoon and made the suspense last.   Tim Lapauw, foil trimmer, said: "At the start of the first round we were four points behind SAP. We first lost one on them, then gained two, then lost three."   Fortunately the wind held and allowed racing to continue. The day's fourth race arrived: Alinghi wins, SAP finishes next-to-last. The gap between the two boats is just one point.   Tim continues: "After the fifth race of the day, we managed to be at the top of the provisional ranking, tied with SAP! The President of the race committee announced that the next race would be the last. Oman Air, 3rd, is nine points behind and therefore posing little menace."   And so, again, the winner of the Act would be decided in the last of the four day's faces, a shoot-out to decide who finishes in front of the other.   Nils Frei, headsail trimmer: "In this last race, the situation on the start was badly assessed by us. Due to a big wind shift to the right, we remained stuck windward side of the committee, with SAP escaping. In spite of that, we are happy with the way we sailed. We made some mistakes, but on the whole we were strong, both in speed, in manoeuvers and on starts, so it's very positive.   Pierre-Yves Jorand, Team Director:  "I found in the team a combative and warlike attitude. We fought for each metre because it is important to stay in touch to place an attack and then to be able to pass a boat. In my opinion, this is our best ESS event since China with a regatta that was competitive until the last run, as so often is the case in the Extreme Sailing Series. "   Click here to watch the interviews of Tim, Nils and Pierre-Yves (in French) in their entirety.   Fans of the ESS will require patience, because the competition now breaks until October 19 for Act 7, which will take place in San Diego. However, Alinghi will be back on track next weekend for the D35 Trophy’s continuation on Lake Geneva! Click here for the overall standings from Act 6 Click here for the overall standings of the Championship To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Hashtags for the event #GoAlinghiGo // #Extremesailing If you want to know more about how to follow the racing, about Alinghi's team, or just about this regatta in general, you will find all that you need by following this link. Photos credit ©Lloyd Images