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Wednesday 22nd September 2009 – 1100 hours UT
Extreme 40 Circuit
Amsterdam marks the penultimate round
After Venice, Hyères, Cowes then Kiel, it’s the turn of Amsterdam to play
host to the Extreme 40’ circuit. Racing in this penultimate event of the
2009 will take place from 25th to 27th September, right in the heart of the
Dutch capital. Though the setting is an impressive one, the battle on the
water is likely to measure up. Indeed, with two grands prix to go till the
end of the championship, and with a tightly bunched top trio, the
competition promises to be both exciting and tense. For Yann Guichard and
his three crew, currently second in the provisional general ranking, their
slogan is clear: “we’re entering the home straight, so we have to give it
our all!”
Like the inaugural event, which we recall took place in the famous Italian
city of Venice, the fifth and penultimate confrontation of the season will
take place this weekend – from 25th to 27th September – in another aqueous
city, that of Amsterdam. The Dutch capital, particularly renowned for its
countless canals, will play host to three days of racing to the rhythm of
the Extreme 40s for what will be the third consecutive year. Indeed it’s
amidst the city’s buildings that the nine competing one designs will do
battle. Yann Guichard gives his view of this very specific playing field: “I
don’t know the race zone personally but on paper it’s a narrow area which
may completely change the face of the rankings. We’re going to sail right in
the heart of the city and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a boat win one race
and bring up the rear in the next” warned the skipper of Gitana Extreme -
LCF Rothschild Group.
In this configuration and with two rounds to go to the end of the season,
the crew’s opportunism and ability to constantly adapt to the vagaries of
the race zone will be indispensible assets. By winning the racing in Venice,
the men of Gitana Team gave a fantastic demonstration of their prowess in
light conditions. Such an aptitude augurs well given the weather forecasts
for this weekend in Holland: “It’s still a bit far off to say but overall
we’re likely to have light conditions (light wind). Last year, racing took
place in the same kind of conditions. Here though we have to observe a
general system and take into account the race zone environment (buildings,
trees…), which will inevitably cast a new light on matters.”
The verdict from the 2009 championship is approaching and the very slight
separation between today’s top three crews on the provisional iShares Cup
podium suggests that we’re in for some fierce battling. With its three
successive victories, the Oman Sail Masirah crew are logically in the top
spot with 37 points, but behind them, for Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild
Group and Oman Sail Renaissance, who are tied on second with 33 points,
first place is still within grasp. An ideal scenario then for both fans of
suspense and fervently competitive sailors galvanised by adrenalin.
As such the last two events of the season shouldn’t lack spice with their
atypical race zones and the associated weather conditions, which may well
prove to be a killjoy for certain crews.
Crew of Gitana Extreme - LCF Rothschild Group
Yann Guichard (skipper-helm)
Pierre Pennec (indexsail traveller trimmer, tactics), Christophe Lassegue
(headsail trimmer, control of manœuvres) and Hervé Cunningham (headsail
trimmer, control of manœuvres)
Provisional championship ranking (after four events)
1/ Oman Sail Masirah – 37 points (4th, 1st, 1st, 1st)
2/ Gitana Extreme- LCF Rothschild Group – 33 points (1st, 4th, 2nd, 4th)
3/Oman Sail Renaissance – 33 points (3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd)
4/ Groupama 40 – 25 points (5th, 5th, 6th, 3rd)
5/ BT – 17 points (6th, 6th, 4th, 8th)
6/ BMW Oracle – 18 points (2nd, 2nd, DNC, DNC, DNC)
7/ iShares – 17 points (9th, 7th, 5th, 6th)
8/ Luna – 16 points (7th, 9th, 7th, 5th)
9/ Holmatro – 13 points (8th, 8th, 8th, 7th)
10/ Ecover – 6 points (10th, 10th, 9th, 10th)
Rights free photos for press use are available on request
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
28.09.2009 - Gitana siegt, Masirah behält Gesamtführung
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