A Consistently Inconsistent Day at Act 7, Nice
Day two of the Extreme Sailing Series, Act 7, was a day of consistently inconsistent racing, which left J.P. Morgan BAR delivering a mixed bag of results. Despite another day of light conditions, the British team did enough to claim a win in race six, their second of the penultimate event.
So far the final European Act of the global series has offered a different show compared to the previous six. A series of upwind starts in under five knots has contrasted to the reaching starts in 15 knots that took place in Istanbul and it has forced the sailors to change their approach and mindset for the racing.
Finally hulls were flying in Nice (C) Lloyd images
Across the 11 strong fleet all the teams are finding it difficult to string a set of solid results together, and after today’s seven races – making it 15 in total – the team remain in fifth place overall, tied on 75 points with the Australian entry, GAC Pindar. Team tactician, Paul Campbell-James, gave his thoughts at the half-way point.
“It didn’t really feel like a particularly good day and we haven’t moved up on the leader board – but, we are feeling positive and are still in the fight for the podium.
“We made a conscious decision after a couple of races that we were just going to battle hard to win the pin, and sail fast for the whole race and sometimes when you take it back to basics that’s when you do well, and deliver your best.
“Generally everyone is really up and down, and as a team we had a few good races, a few bad races, but I think we all feel that we can do better than we did today. There’re two days left and if we have a couple of good solid days we can be up there and be in with a chance for the lead.”
J.P. Morgan BAR Skipper, Ben Ainslie, made good judgements in the light breeze (C) Lloyd images
Team trimmer, Nick Hutton continued, “I’ve raced in Nice on the circuit before, and we had the same conditions – it’s always sunny, always warm and it is generally really nice sailing although it is so light.
“The light conditions are more of a challenge than the breezy ones, it’s a lot more technical, more tweaky and you really have to concentrate and focus because the differences between a good and bad decision mean so much more.”
“Tomorrow the forecast is looking the same but hopefully the breeze will pick up in the afternoon, we will just keep doing our best and enjoying the racing.”
The racing in France will be streamed live, with commentary, on www.jpmorganbarblog.com until Sunday. The action will also be broadcast live on Canal + sport.
Full J.P. Morgan BAR Act 7, Nice, Team list:
Skipper – Ben Ainslie
Tactician – Paul Campbell-James
Bowman – Matt Cornwell
Trimmer – Nick Hutton
Fifth Man – Bleddyn Mon
Jono Macbeth
Johnny Mourdant
Ian McCabe
Simon Daubney
Alex Hopson
Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 7 Nice standings after Day 2, 15 races (3.10.14)
Position / Team / Points
1st Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 92 points.
2nd Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 84 points.
3rd Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 82 points.
4th Alinghi (SUI) 81 points.
5th J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 75 points.
6th GAC Pindar (AUS 75 points.
7th The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 74 points.
8th Oman Air (OMA) 73 points.
9th Groupama sailing team (FRA 71 points.
10th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 66 points.
11th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 66 points.
Editors 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 is 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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