Extreme conditions but racing fails to get underway in Sydney
PORTO CERVO, ITALY
Race day one of the Extreme Sailing Series, Act 8 was plagued with some of the strongest, most extreme weather conditions of the 2014 global circuit.
The wind was blowing through the wet Australian city at 30 knots, with gusts of 45. It forced the Race Management team – lead by Race Director, Phil Lawrence – to postpone and then, as the conditions worsened, cancel the EX40 racing.
The J.P.Morgan BAR shore team prepare the EX40 at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
J.P. Morgan BAR Bowman, Matt Cornwell, commented on the decision, "We didn’t race today, it was cancelled due to too much wind which is frustrating but that’s part of sailing, you are dealt the conditions you get so you have to roll with it and we will regroup tomorrow.
J.P. Morgan BAR during Wednesday's training session in the Harbour
"It was really windy out there with some big squalls coming through at times. It was just too much to sail these boats safely, so it was a good decision not to go out.
“But it gave us a chance to have a good look at the course, we will have a similar direction tomorrow, but a little less wind, so it should be sailable. It will still be really gusty and shifty much like the conditions we had in China, where the wind is coming out of the city. We did pretty well there, so we can hopefully use some of the tactics that worked for us out there and do well tomorrow.”
Despite the disappointment with the lack of racing, the team started the day on a high with a visit from the Beacon Foundation, a national non-profit organization working in more than 110 secondary schools in Australia. Over 20 youngsters joined the team for a question and answer session to hear how the sailors first became involved with the sport and their training for the Extreme and America’s Cup campaigns.
The team enjoyed the visit from Beacon Foundation youngsters
Racing will begin tomorrow at 14:00 local time (03:00 GMT) with live racing streamed at www.jpmorganbarblog.com from Friday 12th – Sunday 14th December 1530-1700 local Time (0430-0600 GMT)
For all the latest J.P.Morgan BAR news and updates follow the team on Twitter @JPMorganBAR
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
Richy O’Farrell
Ian McCabe
Simon Daubney
Alex Hopson
Extreme Sailing Series™ 2014 overall standings
Position / Team / Points
1st - Alinghi (SUI) 65 points.
2nd - The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 57 points.
3rd - Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 49 points.
4th - Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 45 points.
5th - J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 37 points.
6th - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 30 points.
7th - SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 28 points.
8th - Oman Air (OMA) 24 points.
9th - Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 24 points.
10th - Groupama sailing team (FRA) 22 points.
11th - GAC Pindar (AUS) 11 points.
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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