Issue date
It’s practice day for the Extreme Sailing Series Istanbul regatta and Emirates Team New Zealand is out to make the most of every precious minute on the water that’s allowed under the rules.
Today’s pictures are here, the video here
The Extreme 40 crew for the sixth round of the series – Dean Barker, Glenn Ashby, James Dagg, Jeremy Lomas and Edwin Delaat – are keen to convert findings from the Cardiff debrief into performance on the race course.
After two informal sessions in the morning and then afternoon practice racing controlled by the race officer, the crew felt they had had a good workout.
Richard Meacham, team coach for the Istanbul regatta, observed it was an important time “to set the tone for the week.”
With memories of the of the indifferent result at Cardiff last month still fresh and still hurting, Dean Barker is itching to get back into racing.
“The course at Istanbul is more open than some of the other venues which have tight courses in confined waters.
“The predominate breeze is offshore, and that means big shifts, puffs and lots of opportunities for gains – and losses – around the course. Consistency will be rewarded.
“Our aim is to put in some good, solid days and to make sure we don’t have any shockers.”
Glenn Ashby, back on board for Istanbul, last raced there three years ago. “It is a very different venue and will provide new challenges compared to the last event which was a very enclosed environment.
“Weather conditions for the week look to be light to moderate and there’s nothing on the horizon to suggest otherwise, although the breeze is forecast to be blowing a bit off shore so it could be quite puffy and a bit shifty.”
Extreme Sailing Series 2014 overall standings after five regattas
1st Alinghi (SUI) 47 points.
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 45 points.
3rd Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 34 points.
4th Emirates Team New Zealand 33 points.
5th J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 25 points.
6th Gazprom Team Russia 22 points.
7th Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 20 points.
8th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 18 points.
9th Oman Air (OMA) 16 points.
10th Groupama sailing team (FRA) 15 points.
11th GAC Pindar (AUS) 5 points.
