A tough way to close to the series for J.P. Morgan BAR
Day three of racing in Sydney and it all came down to the final race, a double pointer, to determine the overall position for both event and 2014 Extreme Sailing Series placing.
The final day of racing in the final Act saw eight races sailed in around 20 knots. Stepping back out onto the racecourse, the team was fired up and opened fast and strong, claiming third, second and first place finishes consecutively, their highest positions of the event.
It was a day that promised a lot, but faded at the end, and it was a tough way to finish the series.
J.P. Morgan BAR take their first win of the event
A total of 26 races were completed over the three racing days and J.P. Morgan BAR finish the event in fifth place, on 156 points. After eight global Acts, with Act 8 offering double points, the team mirrored a fifth place position in the series, with 49 points.
Team Tactician, Paul Campbell-James talked through the final races, "We basically had a great day and it was going right until the last race, the double pointer. We were getting good results and it was working well but that final race dropped us back down to fifth place overall, so ultimately we are a little disappointed.
“That’s the way it is with this racing, it comes down to the last race, and in the last race we didn’t get the result we wanted.”
It was a 'tough and physical final day on the harbor
J.P. Morgan BAR’s 5th man, Bleddyn Mon, continued, “Everyone worked really hard all day, it was a tough and physical day, and unfortunately it just didn’t fall into place at the end. It has been a great venue and it is frustrating to end the event with this result, but when we got out there and got going, we got some great racing in this week.”
The team first came together for Act One in Singapore back in February, with a crew change for the home event, Act 5 – Cardiff. Bowman, Matt Cornwell, summarized their first series, "It’s been an interesting year, we kind of struggled when we started, getting to grips with the style of racing but we really got a hold of it these past few events.
"When we think about the the bigger picture, it’s not all about one race or one Act – it’s about the series as a whole and there have been some real highs to the racing.
“Ideally we would have liked to finish one or two places higher up the scoreboard but, it’s our first go at it as a team, it’s a new format and we probably finished where we deserved to finish. It has been a pleasure sailing with the guys and ultimately, it’s one step forward in the long road to 2017.”
On the dock at the RSYS - Skipper, Ben Ainslie with Paul 'CJ' Campbell-James
Skipper, Ben Ainslie concluded, "The guys worked incredibly hard today but it didn’t go the right way for us in the final race which was really frustrating.
"I would like to thank the shore team, commercial team and sailing team for all their hard work this season.
“We’ve developed a lot from racing on the Extreme Sailing Series and this will undoubtedly help us towards our goals in the America’s Cup.”
Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 8 Sydney presented by Land Rover standings after Day 4, 26 races (14.12.14)
Position / Team / Points
1st - Alinghi (SUI) 189 points.
2nd - The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 177 points.
3rd - Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 168 points.
4th - Oman Air (OMA) 157 points.
5th - J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 156 points.
6th - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 151 points.
7th - SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 145 points.
8th - Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 143 points.
9th - Groupama sailing team (FRA) 124 points.
10th - GAC Pindar (AUS) 90 points.
Extreme Sailing Series™ 2014 overall standings
Position / Team / Points
1st - Alinghi (SUI) 85 points.
2nd - The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 75 points.
3rd - Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 61 points.
4th - Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 49 points.
5th - J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 49 points.
6th - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 40 points.
7th - Oman Air (OMA) 38 points.
8th - SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 36 points.
9th - Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 30 points.
10th - Groupama sailing team (FRA) 26 points.
11th - GAC Pindar (AUS) 13 points.
Full J.P. Morgan BAR Act 8, Sydney, Team list:
Skipper – Ben Ainslie
Tactician – Paul Campbell-James
Bowman – Matt Cornwell
Trimmer – Nick Hutton
Fifth Man – Bleddyn Mon
Shore Team – Richy O’Farrell, Ian McCabe, Simon Daubney, Alex Hopson
Notes: Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) was conceived in 2011 by four times Olympic gold medalist and 34th America’s Cup winner, Sir Ben Ainslie, with the long-term aim of challenging for Britain and bringing the America’s Cup back home to where it all began in 1851.
Ben will develop and lead a British entry capable of winning the prestigious trophy, something Britain has so far never managed to achieve.
At the start of 2014 the team also turned their focus to the Extreme Sailing Series (ESS) competing in a 40-foot catamaran on the international circuit. The team are backed in their Extreme Sailing Series campaign by J.P. Morgan.
http://jpmorganbarblog.com
11TH HOUR RACING, INC. (Sustainability Partner)
11th Hour Racing Incorporated was developed to create a new model of sailing sponsorship for winning teams powered by sustainable practices that support the health of our oceans. 11th Hour Racing aims to increase our understanding of the oceans, find solutions to the problems that damage or destroy our marine resources, and promote stewardship and sustainable use of the seas that sustain life on our planet.
www.team11thHourRacing.com
Official J.P. Morgan BAR Extreme Sailing Series Suppliers
Henri Lloyd (Technical clothing supplier); http://www.henrilloyd.com/
Scorpion Ribs (Support boats); http://www.scorpionribs.com
SOS Rehydrate (Medical drinks); http://sosrehydrate.com
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