Extreme Series at Cowes: Final Day

Photo: Paul Wyeth / OC Events

Photo: Paul Wyeth / OC Events

Photo: Paul Wyeth / OC Events

Photo: Paul Wyeth / OC Events

Photo: Paul Wyeth / OC Events
From Extreme Series Website
“…The conditions throughout the event have demanded the utmost focus and physical effort from the nine competing teams and today was no exception with 20-25 knots of south-westerly breeze across the short race course and a choppy sea state. Classic conditions for a potential pitch-pole or capsize and the crews knew it, racing with one reef in the mainsail and an extra fifth pro crew to add a bit of extra weight. The top mark proved a dangerous turning mark as they hoisted their giant gennakers to head downwind at full pelt – the crews ready in a second to ease the sails if the bows dug into the waves too deep.
Going into the fifth and final double points race of the day, Paul Campbell-James and his crew had almost done enough to keep the lead from Britain’s Mike Golding, but they had to finish the race – zero points and Ecover would claim the top spot. As it was the team did enough, scoring a 4th in the final race, to win the UK round of the Extreme Sailing Series on 249 points: “We knew if we capsized it would be the end of the regatta so pretty pleased to get through it,” said a relieved Campbell-James on the podium.
…
The Wave, Muscat’s victory here means they now share the top spot on the overall Series leaderboard with 14 points apiece. Two points behind Oman Sail Masirah on 12 points.

Next stop for the Extreme Sailing Series is Kiel in Germany between 26-29 August.”
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Final Results at Cowes

1		The Wave, Muscat	249
2		Ecover Sailing Team	231
3		Groupe Edmond De Rothschild	225
4		Oman Sail Masirah	205
5		Red Bull Extreme Sailing	199
6		Groupama 40	196
7		Team GAC Pindar	170
8		The Ocean Racing Club	79
9		Veolia Environment	85