It’s all on for final day of Extreme 40 regatta
The 10 Extreme 40 teams racing at Singapore competed in 11 short, sharp but punishing races on Day 4 as more breezy, but gusty conditions lifted the tempo of the racing.
Emirates Team New Zealand had an indifferent day slipping to fourth in the Singapore ranking, but a top-three finish is within their grasp. Luna Rossa is looking comfortable in the lead on 186 points, but only five points separates second (151), third and fourth (146).
Comfortable is not a work often heard at the Extreme Sailing Series. With the fleet racing on short courses in confined waters often in a light, shifty breeze “comfortable” can become “very uncomfortable” in very quick time. That’s happened many times during the 2011 series and could easily happen again,
Two sessions of racing are scheduled for the final day. The first will start at 10am, the second later in the afternoon. With a potential for 10 or more races which puts at least 110 points up for grabs taking into account the last double-points race.
Dean Barker, not happy with Day 4, is fixed firmly on the final day. “If we sail well, stay out of trouble and have a little luck on our side there’s no reason why we can’t finish in the top three at Singapore and for the season. A lot of very determined people will be out on the water on the last day – each with something to prove. It will be all on.”
He said Luna Rossa had been sailing very well at Singapore and deserved to be at the top of the rankings. They will be working hard try to stay there. “
On Day 4, as the wind speed went into double digits for the first time this week, and with the teams all pushing hard in the confines of the Extreme Stadium, the risk of damage increased. In the eighth race of the day, Red Bull Sailing Team, who had right of way, slammed into the back of Team GAC Pindar while trying to avoid the collision – and with enough force to throw bowman Craig Monk into the water.
Singapore standings after 25 races
1 Luna Rossa (ITA) 186 points
2 Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT) 151 points
3 Oman Air (OMA) 149 points
4 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 146 points
5 Alinghi (SUI) 141.5 points
6 The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 140 points
7 Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA)128 points
8 Team GAC Pindar (GBR) 119 points
9 Team Extreme – the first club™ (FRA) 108 points
10 Team TILT (SUI) 103 points
