J.P. Morgan BAR still in the hunt despite collision
Day three of Act 8 of the Extreme Sailing Series, and the second day of racing brought even more action for the British entry, J.P. Morgan BAR.
Eight races were sailed by the fleet in the most moderate conditions of the event so far. The anemometer was recording in the mid-teens as the 10-strong-fleet hit the start line for their first race of the day. It was puffy, around 15 – 18 knots and was still testing for the sailors. As the afternoon wore on, the forecast came true, and the wind speed decreased to a still gusty but more manageable 10 -12 knots.
After a positive start, the team was taken out of action in the second race of the day after a collision with Swiss entry, RealTeam. It forced them to miss the following two races as the shore team assessed and repaired the damage.
Race day two in Sydney for J.P. Morgan BAR (c) Lloyd images
Bowman, Matt Cornwell, talked through the collision, "We had just gone round the top mark and found ourselves in a bit of a lull, so we were about to gybe when we saw RealTeam coming in. We were pretty slow and they were gaining pace and they couldn’t get round us in time, resulting in a breakage of both our rudderstocks. We were out of that race and took ourselves off to assess and make the repairs to the boat.
"It was a great effort by the shore team and everyone involved to get back out there, we were really hustling – we wanted to be back racing."
The shore and sailing team come together to repair the boat damage
J.P. Morgan BAR shore team boat builder, Ian ‘Mucky’ McCabe, continued, "The main damage to the Extreme 40 was to the port and starboard rudderstocks. We took the boat back to the dock and managed to retrieve some spare stocks and rudders from the technical zone. We fitted a new tiller bar to the boat and managed to get the guys back out, having only missed two races.
“Initially after an impact you worry about not making it back out and it’s your day over. But, we were lucky that didn’t occur and we could get back on the racecourse.”
Shore team boat builder, Ian 'Mucky' McCabe, gets to work
At the end of the second day on the water the team had moved up to fourth place overall with 108 points. Tactician, Paul Campbell-James, on the progress so far, "Not many of our races have been finished in the back two. We have fought hard throughout – despite today’s set back.
"The shore team absolutely went above and beyond today by getting us back out and on the water in record time so thankfully, we are still in the hunt and ready to race on our final day of the series tomorrow."
The Act and the final race of the event are both worth double points and the final day of racing will begin tomorrow at 14:00 local time (03:00 GMT) with live racing streamed at www.jpmorganbarblog.com between 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
Shore Team – Richy O’Farrell, Ian McCabe, Simon Daubney, Alex Hopson
Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 8 Sydney presented by Land Rover standings after Day 3, 18 races (13.12.14)
Position / Team / Points
1st - Alinghi (SUI) 65 points.
2nd - Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 125 points.
3rd - The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 120 points.
4th - J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 108 points.
5th - SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 103 points.
6th - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 100 points.
7th - Oman Air (OMA) 87 points.
8th - Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 83 points.
9th - GAC Pindar (AUS) 79 points.
10th - Groupama sailing team (FRA) 73 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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