In the Extreme Sailing Series, the situation is constantly changing and for a lot of people that’s the beauty of this circuit. However the scenario which played out yesterday afternoon on the waters of the Yellow Seawas one of the tensest ever for the catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild since its arrival in this series, back in 2009. Though Leigh McMillan’s men quickly gained the upper hand over their rivals and continued to stretch out their lead in the standing, their pursuers had to battle right up to the final second to secure their place. As such Edmond de Rothschild Group, Red Bull Sailing Team, Oman Air as well as GAC Pindar were protagonists in a game of musical chairs of a rare intensity! And in line with tradition, it was necessary to wait until the final race of the Grand Prix – the one which scores double points – to discover the top trio in this second act of the season.
A review of how the four days of competition in Qingdao unfolded
Friday 20 April – When the committee launched the twenty-ninth race, five boats were still in contention for the top spots on the Chinese podium. Third, just a point shy of second place and a point ahead of fourth place, Pierre Pennec and his crew knew that they couldn’t afford to mess up and that they had to finish in front. At the end of the first reach, they were lying in second place as they rounded the first mark. However, in the ensuing beat, Roman Hagara, in ambush, benefited from a gust that Pierre Pennec and his men couldn’t latch onto. The Austrian made the most of it to slip ahead of the catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. The variations in the wind broke the momentum of the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group, which ranked third in the event. (...)
Back on the dock, Pierre Pennec didn’t forget to salute the performance by the day’s winners: “I’d like to pass on my congratulations to The Wave Muscat, who sailed very well throughout the four days of racing. Its victory is indisputable and deserved. We knew they’d provide stiff competition in 2012 so this is confirmation of that. The question mark hangs over whether they will make the same mistakes as last year, where they lacked consistency: winner in Cowes then Trapani, one after the other, then ninth in Nice.”
So are the sailors that race for Edmond de Rothschild Group disappointed? A little, naturally, since these born competitors are only ever satisfied with victory. Nevertheless, with consistency being an indicator of a good result in the annual championship, the men of Gitana Team leftChinawith a real desire and keenness to strive for more: an opportunity which will come very soon on the waters of theBosphorusRiver, from 7 to 10 June 2012. (...)
Standing for the Qingdao Grand Prix (twenty-nine races run)
The WaveMuscat– 189 points
Red Bull Sailing Team - 174 points
Edmond de Rothschild Group - 171 points
GAC Pindar - 164 points
OmanAir - 162 points
Zoulou - 158 points
SAP Extreme Sailing Team - 130 points
Alinghi - 129 points
ChinaTeam - 74 points
The crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group
Pierre Pennec (Skipper / helmsman),
Jean-Christophe Mourniac (trimmer and mainsail traveller)
Hervé Cunningham (headsail trimmer)
Bernard Labro (Bowman)
Romain Petit (5th man)
Alexandre Guyader (Sports coach)