Red Bull Sailing’s comeback efforts took a hit on Saturday despite victory on the first race of the day at the Olympic sailing venue off Qingdao as fog set in to hamper racing and leave the Austrian team in seventh place after 17 races in the world’s best-staffed sailing series. The Wave Muscat (132 points/Oman) took over the lead from Alinghi (120/SUI), with GAC Pindar (111/GBR) in third place one day before the final racing day of Act 3 of the Extreme Sailing World Series.
Qingdao (China). Two-time America´s Cup winners Alinghi handed over the lead to defending champions The Wave Muscat amid changings winds on Saturday. After hours of delays caused by a thick on-setting fog, Red Bull Sailing got off to a flying start with a win on the first race of the day but with 8th, 4th and 7th place finishes in the other of the day’s races it was not enough to launch a frontal attack on the top spot.
„We are just seven points away from a podium spot,“ said Red Bull Sailing tactician Hans Peter Steinacher. „We have been struggling with issues since the start of this regatta. But there are double points up for grabs on the last race of the day tomorrow and all teams are really close. A podium finish is within our reach.“
Red Bull Sailing is deploying substitute headsail trimmer Simon Cook (AUS) after the injury absence of Pierre LeClainche (FRA)..
Standings China / Quingdao / after 17 races: 1. The Wave Muscat 132 points, 2. Alinghi 120, 3. GAC Pindar 111, 4. SAP Team 110, 5. Team China 106, 6. Red Bull Sailing 104. 7. Team Korea 103, 8. Real Team 98
Overall Extreme Sailing Series Standings 2013 (after two of eight Acts): 1. Red Bull Sailing 18 points, 2. Alinghi 18, 3. The Wave Muscat 16
Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): Skipper: Roman Hagara (AUT) / tactician: Hans Peter Steinacher (AUT) / mainsail trimmer: Matthew Adams
(GBR) / headsail trimmer: Simon Cook (AUS) / bowman: Graeme Spence (AUS)
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