Sailing by Davis: “Alpari WMRT: Robertson Finds Winning Formula in Second Qualifying Session” plus 5 more

Alpari WMRT: Robertson Finds Winning Formula in Second Qualifying Session
Extreme Sailing Series: Action-packed start to Act 5
All-rounder Cammas relishing return to water
Our Greatest Team Parade
Cardiff Bay prepares to become Extreme Stadium
Tom Touber joins Volvo Ocean Race as COO

Alpari WMRT: Robertson Finds Winning Formula in Second Qualifying Session

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 01:00 PM PDT

On a day when a lack of wind eventually stopped racing at the St. Moritz Match Race, Phil Robertson profited from a return to the form which has seen him climb to fourth in the Alpari Match Racing Tour leaderboard after four stages.

Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing finished yesterday's opening qualifying session with a disappointing three losses from three but showed no signs of repeating those results, beating Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing and current Tour leader Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Mekonomen Sailing Team before the wind became too light for sailing to continue.

Laurie Jury (NZL) Kiwi Match Sailing remains at the head of the qualifying table on five points, without having taken to the water on the second day of competition. Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team remains in second despite losing his unbeaten record to compatriot Bjorn Hansen (SWE) in his first match of the day. Berntsson, said: "We picked up a penalty in the pre-start against Bjorn but the outcome of that didn't affect the overall race, i don't think. It was very much about starting well and getting the left side.We didn't manage to close the gap and he was in a controlling position for most of the way around. He did a good job in keeping us behind."

Berntsson went on to beat Jerome Clerc (SUI) Team CER to take his tally to 4 points but is hopeful that conditions will allow a full qualifying stage to be completed: "We're pleased to be 4-1 which puts us in a good positionafter two days but we would prefer to be back out on the water completing Qualifying. We're here as dedicated sailors and want to race as much as we can, perform well, and win because we are the best on the day."

Despite the loss to Berntsson, Clerc still feels that his team are in with a chance of qualifying for the Quarter Finals, having earlier beat rival Eric Monnin (SUI) Okalys Corum in their national battle on home water. Clerc, said: "We were very happy to beat Eric because it's our third time at this regatta in St. Moritz and we haven't beaten him before. He had a better start than us and was in front from the start but we got a good shift which allowed us to overtake and hold on for the win.

"We're from Geneva, which is 6 hours away so it doesn't feel like a home event for us here. There isn't a lot of pressure on us because we aren't really one of the favourites so we're here to learn and improve our match racing.

"So far i think we've done well because we have a new crew member for this event and if we can continue taking each match as it comes, we have a chance for the Quarter Finals."

St. Moritz Match Race – Results after Qualification Round 2:
Laurie Jury (NZ) Kiwi Match 5 – 0
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 4 -1
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 3 -2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) Loire Atlantique Sailing Team 3 – 2
Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar 2.5* – 2 (0.5 point deduction for boat collision)
Jerome Clerc (SUI) Team CER 2 – 3
Eric Monnin (SUI) Okalys Corum 2 – 3
Phil Robertson (NZ) WAKA Racing 2 – 3
Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) Vannes Agglo Sailing Team 2 – 3
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Mekonomen Sailing Team 2 – 3
Josh Junior (NZL) Wellington Spirit 1 – 4
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 1 – 4

Tags on NauticNews: WMRT – Match Racing

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Extreme Sailing Series: Action-packed start to Act 5

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 12:28 PM PDT

Breezy and gusty conditions on Cardiff Bay ensured that the opening day of Act 5 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff, Wales delivered an action-packed day for the nine Extreme 40s. Austria's Red Bull Sailing Team blasted round the tight courses, reaching speeds of 29mph (25.4 knots) relishing the conditions that put Roman Hagara's men at the top of the rankings at the end of day one. "This was racing on the edge up to 25 knots of wind but we never lost control of the boat. It's nice to be in first place but there are still three days to go. We have to focus and to concentrate and we can win," said Hagara.

For local entry, Team Wales, skippered by young Welsh talent Dave Evans and with Team GB 470 Olympic silver medallist Hannah Mills calling tactics, the day ended in drama when the 62ft mast came crashing down. A component failure in the rig caused the mast to fall but it remained intact and the team expects to be back on the water tomorrow – after what is sure to be a long night for their shore team.

Today was about supreme boat handling and minimizing mistakes and both Oman Air and GAC Pindar in the main did just that to end the day in second and third respectively. "It was a wild day, things happened quick and it was some of the tightest courses and some of the strongest wind we've had and that made it pretty exciting," said US skipper Morgan Larson. "It was kind of hectic, there were tight corners, it was gusty, shifty, and basically we're happy to have got through that day without any damage. The racing today was tactical, but boat handling was really the key today, that is really what got us through, sharp boat handling by all the guys."

Eight short and sharp races were staged today, that saw the nine-boat Extreme 40 fleet power reach off the start, flying to the top mark. As always the start was key and The Wave Muscat skipper, Britain's Leigh McMillan will be kicking himself for his false starts today. But the Omani team may be down but they are certainly not out as they are determined to make Act 5 their fourth straight win: "We've had lots of bad days and always bounced back. Sometimes you need a back day to sort yourself out," said McMillan. "We're going to make sure we're on top again, particularly after today. It makes me more determined to come back and try to get back to the top."

Extreme Sailing Series 2012 Act 5, Cardiff, Wales, UK standings after Day 1, 8 races (30.8.12)
Position / Points

Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT), 55 points
Oman Air (OMA), 50 points
GAC Pindar (GBR), 50 points
SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN), 44 points
The Wave, Muscat (OMA), 43 points
Alinghi (SUI), 39 points
Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), 36 points
ZouLou (FRA), 22 points
Team Wales, 20 points

Tags on NauticNews: Extreme Sailing Series – Extreme 40

Photo Credit: Lloyd Images

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All-rounder Cammas relishing return to water

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 06:09 AM PDT

Franck Cammas, winning skipper of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, will barely set foot on dry land for the remainder of the year after signing up to lend his skills to two campaigns, with the first starting this weekend.

Our Greatest Team Parade

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 11:00 PM PDT

The procession of Olympic and Paralympic Team GB athletes has been confirmed, which will take place through the streets of London on Monday 10 September.

Our Greatest Team Parade will comprise of 800 athletes atop 21 floats and will set off from Mansion House in the city at 1.30pm before travelling along Queen Victoria Street and Cannon Street, passing by St Paul's Cathedral's, continuing along Fleet Street, past Aldwych and into The Strand, before reaching Trafalgar Square.

Coverage of the parade will be broadcast throughout the day on BBC One, BBC News Channel, Channel 4 and Sky.

> Read more about the Our Greatest Team Parade celebrations

> Browse Musto collection in collaboration with the British Sailing Team

Cardiff Bay prepares to become Extreme Stadium

Posted: 30 Aug 2012 07:40 AM PDT

Excitement is building in the Welsh capital Cardiff ahead of the UK leg of the 2012 Extreme Sailing Series, not only amongst the locals who are eagerly anticipating the Extreme 40s Welsh debut, but also within the teams who after their last meeting more than seven weeks ago, are champing at the bit for battle to commence, as they launch into the second half of the 2012 Series.

The fleet has already raced stadium-style in Muscat, Qingdao, Istanbul and most recently on the magnificent Douro river in Porto, and one team has dominated so far. British Olympian Leigh McMillan and his team The Wave, Muscat have triumphed in all but one of the previous Acts but as McMillan mused, it is getting harder to retain an advantage, especially with three other teams – the Austrian Red Bull Sailing Team, their stablemates Oman Air, and the French on Groupe Edmond de Rothschild: "I think it is going to be really difficult in Cardiff. We have had a pretty good winning streak but at some point these things always come to an end. There is no doubt that the other teams will be wanting that run to end right now and at the half way stage I expect they will see it as time for them to reel us in. It is going to be hard with all the teams gunning for us but we are coming into Cardiff with a new motivation and energy – and we intend to convert that into another win in front of our friends and family."

Groupe Edmond de Rothschild – who suffered serious damage to their Extreme 40 on the final day at Act 4 Porto which ultimately cost them their place on the podium – are more determined then ever to claim their first victory this year. Two new crew members will be racing – Christophe André, who last sailed an Extreme 40 in 2011, brings America's Cup, match racing and offshore experience to the French team, whilst Romain Motteau may be a newbie to the Extreme Sailing Series but as a youth multihull World Champion he is sure to find his Extreme 40 feet quickly. "When you fall you have to quickly get back in the saddle," said skipper Pierre Pennec. "The Act in Porto was a blow to us, especially for the overall Series leaderboard as we lost two places, but we are mid-championship and the end result is not known. Our shore crew has done an outstanding job fixing the boat and is like new, the whole team is extremely motivated to move forward."

Andrew Walsh will remain in the driving seat of the British GAC Pindar for a second consecutive Act with a few new faces amongst his crew. Team GBR 49er sailor Rick Peacock returns to the Extreme Sailing Series after debuting at the 2011 UK leg on board Aberdeen Asset Management, while American sailor Anna Tunnicliffe will be calling tactics for the British boat. Tunnicliffe, best known for winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and who has also been awarded the ISAF World Sailor of the Year twice said: "I'm very excited to be joining GAC Pindar in Cardiff. I'm looking forward to learning from the guys and offering my skills to the team. I've watched the Extreme Sailing Series over the past couple of seasons and I'm really looking forward to short stadium course sailing and fast paced races." Tunnicliffe will be one of two women competing in Cardiff; the other is Olympic silver medallist Hannah Mills on the local entry Team Wales.

Extreme Sailing Series 2012 Overall Series Results after 4 Acts.
Position/Team/Points