Red Bull Sailing finish in fifth place – Hagara plegdes attack in Istanbul

Despite two podium finishes on the final day of the Extreme Sailing Series 2013 Act 3 in Qingdao, Red Bull Sailing grabbed fifth spot with The Wave Muscat (Oman) claiming victory and Alinghi (SUI) taking over the lead in the overall standings of the mutlihull world series. Next stop is Istanbul on April 20-24.

Qingdao (China).  The Wave Muscat (Oman)  clinched a narrow victory ahead of Alinghi (SUI) in the Olympic sailing venue of Qingdao on the third stop of the Extreme Sailing Series. With a seocnd-place finish on the final race of the day offering double points, The Wave Muscat grabbed their win with a fine performance in light winds ahead of new overall leaders Alinghi. SAP Extreme Sailing Team were third.

 

Red Bull Sailing, despite two podium finishes, could not finish in the top spots, unlike in the two previous acts, to grab fifth place in China. „The injury absence of Pierre LeClainche – our  headsail trimmer – was difficult to handle,“ said skipper Roman Hagara.  „Every move has been practiced a dozen times so you really have start from scratch.“

His tactician Hans Peter Steinacher was eager to draw also positive conclusions. „We were neither bad nor good under the circumstances. The boat is now off to Istanbul. We will arrive early and will have a perfect preparation.“

 

The Qingdao results saw double Olympic champions Hagara and Steinacher drop to third in the overall series standings  after three of eight acts, but within range of the top spot.

„Every team will have to struggle with problems in this season. The Istanbul race suits us with the strong currents and the shifting winds demanding a lot of feeling and tactic. There we can make up for our missing boat speed“, said Hagara, who along with Steinacher will be looking at the teams of the Red Bull Youth America´s Cup (September 2013) in the upcoming weeks.

Final standings China / Qingdao / after 26 races: 1. The Wave Muscat (Oman) 202 points, Alinghi (SUI), 200, SAP Extreme Sailing Team (Denmark) 191