Today Team Luna Rossa won the last event of the Extreme Sailing Series 2011circuit that took place in Singapore.
The Italian crew, composed by Max Sirena (skipper), Paul Campbell-James (helmsman), Alister Richardson (tactician) and Manuel Modena (runner) won this last event once again in Asian waters.
The Extreme Sailing Series, reserved to Extreme 40′ class catamarans, started in February 2011 and finished today. The international schedule of 9 events was organized throughout the world. The series is known to represent, to date, one of the most spectacular and challenging sailing circuits in the world of professional sailing.
Luna Rossa started off in Singapore at the top of the provisional ranking and throughout this final event maintained the leadership over the rest of the fleet. The team successfully defended and increased the gap and –with the final victory- obtained the overall title.
Following a total of 25 races to date, Luna Rossa reaches the top of the provisional ranking in Singapore with the following partial results: 2 – 7 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 1 – 3 – 4 – 3 – 1 – 2.
It was a very positive day for the team who, with this score, obtains a 56-point gap from its closest competitor to the title, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, currently seventh with a total of 128 points.
The gusty winds today challenged the tacticians and gave rise to spectacular racing scenarios: the eighth races was particularly exciting due to a collision between Team GAC Pindar and Red Bull Extreme Sailing. The latter collided with GAC Pindar by hitting the edge of their opponent’s stern, causing bowman
Craig Monk to fall overboard.
The schedule calls for 10 more races for the last day of the event. This, in terms of points, means that there are still 110 points left to be distributed throughout the teams.
At two days from the end of the Extreme Sailing Series Luna Rossa is the leader of the ranking for the circuit, and second in the provisional ranking of this 9th Act.
The day in Singapore was packed with ups and downs, and Patrizio Bertelli’s crew started off well with a 2-1-2 score that brought the team to the top of the event leader board.
The gap separating Luna Rossa from the French Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, the only team that could actually come close to taking the leadership of the event, narrowed down to 8 points due to two penalties that cost the team an 8th and a 10th place in two of the races.
Red Bull Extreme Sailing at this time maitains the top of the event ranking in Singapore.
Tomorrow the regattas will take place with the Stadium-racing format.
At the end of the second day the Austrian team Red Bull Extreme Sailing maintains its leadership in the event ranking with a total of 64 points. Team Luna Rossa gives way to Emirates Team New Zealand who is now second (62 points), and is right behind them in third place with con 61 points.
Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (52 points) is currently fifth at 9 points from Luna Rossa.
The last event in the 2011 of the Extreme Sailing Series took off today in Singapore, in the stunning backdrop of the panoramic wheel, the largest in the world, that dominates the city skyline.
The day was packed with challenges and delays due to a violent storm and monsoon-type rain and lightning that obliged the race committee to temporarily suspend the races.
After five races Red Bull Extreme Sailing reaches the top of the provisional event ranking, followed by Luna Rossa and Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.
Team Luna Rossa obtained the following partial results: 3 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 8.
Tomorrow the racing will start at 7.00 am Italian time (14.00 hrs. in Singapore) for the day that will
be dedicated to the media who will be allowed to participate on board in the role of fifth guest.
From Friday to Sunday instead the regattas will be raced in stadium format and close to the shore.
The last act of the Extreme Sailing Series circuit will take place in Singapore from December 7th to December 11th. The big final of the 2011 season will see Luna Rossa defending its position in the Asian waters with Patrizio Bertelli’s well-consolidated crew lineup:
Massimiliano Sirena - Skipper
Paul Campbell-James - Helmsman
Alister Richardson - Tactician
Manuel Modena - Crew
Giulio Giovanella - Crew
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager
Benjamin Durham - Coach
Gianni Tognozzi - Shore Team
Team Luna Rossa is currently first in the circuit general ranking with one point of advantage on
the second, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, and 9 points from the third Emirates Team New Zealand.
Paul Campbell-James, helmsman: "The location is a really tricky one, it is in the heart of the city, its very small and usually there are pretty light winds. We have raced there once before 2 years ago with the extreme 40s and it was great fun but really hard. There were a few storms that came through producing some massive lightening bolts. We're currently one point in front of our opponent so it's going to be a one on one match in singapore, with the team who gets the best result in the last event taking the overall title. We're pretty confident, we got the better of them in the last regatta and we'll do the same again."
Below is the provisional ranking of the circuit after 8 Acts:
And the winner is Alinghi. This turn it was Ernesto Bertarelli’s Swiss team to take the eighth event of the season with a total of 254 points after 32 races in medium light winds in the waters of Almeria, Spain.
Luna Rossa comes in second, with 234 points and gains once again the lead of the overall circuit ranking with one point of advantage on Groupe Edmond de Rothschild who placed fifth in this event.
Oman Air came in third with 232 points, followed by an extraordinary Team GAC Pindar (218 points).
The next event will determine the winner of the 2011 Extreme Circuit. The appointment is in Singapore from December 7 to 11.
Due to unforeseeable technical problems, Luna
Rossa will no longer participate in the Rolex Middle Sea Race
Five more races were completed today, three of which in stadium format and two more outside of the port of Almeria, the small Spanish town currently hosting the second last act of the Extreme Sailing Series.
Luna Rossa today scored the following partial results: 2 – 7 – 4 – 4 – 9.
Antonio Marrai, team manager: “After three days of racing the only constant factor has been the lack of wind, which is quite unusual for Almeria. Unfortunately the Nice experience is repeating itself and the racing is not that spectacular. However all crew are facing the same conditions. Today, after two rather disappointing days, Luna Rossa would have had a very positive outcome, if it had not been for a couple of minor mistakes
that in these tricky weather conditions can be very costly.
In any case we closed the gap with the first team and that was tough. With such a short ranking the changes can be quite abrupt. Tomorrow the forecast is for more wind and this should provide for more excitement.”
Today’s weather started out with a 6-knot breeze that, as the day went on, decreased to less than four; on this second day of races in Almeria the race committee gave start to five races in which Luna Rossa obtained the following partial results: 5 – 7 – 7- 1 – DNF.
The Oman Air team remains at the top of the scoreboard, followed by Emirates Team New Zealand. Today’s trials took place outside of the port, where races will be held tomorrow as well. Saturday and Sunday the race course will be positioned once again inshore.
Today the second-last event in the Extreme Sailing Series started off with four races in the waters of Almeria. The extremely light winds provided the greatest challenge for all tacticians in their tacking choices.
Luna Rossa at the end of the is sixth in the provisional ranking after the following partial scores: 5th - 5th – 4th – 8th.
The scoreboard at this time shows Oman Air at the top, helmed by British talent Ben Ainslie, followed by the French team Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, whereas Emirates Team New Zealand is now third.
The Spanish movida is ready to welcome the eighth and second-last event in the Extreme Sailing Series. Stadium-format racing will start tomorrow in sunny Almeria in the south of Spain and hereby give the kick-off to this important appointment in the Extreme Sailing season.
Luna Rossa is currently second in the provisional ranking, at two points from the French team Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, who leapt to the top of the chart after winning the seventh event in Nice.
Races will take place until Sunday October 16th.
Extreme Sailing Series 2011 - Provisional Ranking after seven acts
The seventh act of the Extreme Sailing Series circuit, characterized by light winds throughout the entire event, closes today with the victory of Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, the French catamaran helmed by Pierre Pennec.
Luna Rossa, skipper Max Sirena, closes in fourth place, with a total of 209 points after a difficult start and a sequence of fluctuating results. The Italian boat still retains a second position in the overall circuit ranking, with only two events to the end of this series.
The next event in the series will take place in Almeria (Spain) from October 12th 16th.
It was a long day while waiting for the wind. The Race Committee gave start to four races in the morning and only one in the afternoon.
The Luna Rossa crew remains stable in 4th place, whereas Groupe Edmond de Rothschild leaps to the top, followed by Alinghi and Artemis Racing.
Tomorrow will be the last day of the event in Nice; the weather forecasts are, unfortunately, similar with not much promise of wind. The Race Committee has planned on two racing sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 7 - Provisional Ranking after 4 days
Once again a day of light and shifty winds in Nice for this seventh event in the Extreme Sailing Series.
Luna Rossa’s performance experienced some highs and lows; the team has lost one position and is now fourth, behind Artemis Racing, Groupe Edmond de Rotschild and Alinghi.
Racing took place along Promenade des Anglais, a natural on the water stadium. The visitors today were pressed in crowds along the Nice shoreline to enjoy the “stadium race” format taking place at few meters from the shore.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 7 - Provisional Ranking after 3 days
In little over five knots of wind, and after eight, Luna Rossa comes back into a third place in the provisional ranking.
Today the Race Committee divided the trials in two sessions and gave start to a few races in the morning and the rest in the afternoon so as to exploit the breezes typical of the Nice waters.
The Red Bull Extreme Series crew remains at the top of the ranking, followed by Groupe Edmond de Rotschild and Luna Rossa at only 2,5 points from the first.
Tomorrow the races, that will once again be divided in morning and afternoon sessions, will take place in front of the Promenade des Anglais with the "stadium race" format.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 7 - Provisional Ranking after 2 days
The Extreme 40′ fleet is now directed towards Nice, France, where the seventh event of the Extreme Sailing Series circuit will take place September 28th to October 2nd .
After the sixth act of the season in Trapani Luna Rossa is now first in the overall provisional ranking.
Extreme Sailing Series 2011 - Provisional Ranking after six acts
Team Luna Rossa, thanks to its fourth place in the Trapani act, is now first in the provisional overall ranking of the Extreme 40′ Circuit.
In this Sicilian event, after 34 races in five days in Trapani, The Wave, Muscat (skipper Leigh McMillan) wins for the second year in a row the Italian event of the this Extreme Sailing Series. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (skipper Pierre Pennec) came in second and Oman Air, helmed by Olympic champion Ben Ainslie, came in third.
In the last day of races Luna Rossa obtained the following partial results: 4th, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 9th, 2nd, 4th, 3rd.
The next Extreme Sailing Series event will take place in Nice from September 30th to October 2nd.
GENERAL RANKING Act 6:
1. The Wave, Muscat (283 points)
2. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (274 points)
3. Oman Air (266.5 points)
4. Luna Rossa (263 points)
5. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (260 points)
6. Alinghi (256.9 points)
7. Emirates Team New Zealand (206.5 points)
8. Team GAC Pindar (171 points)
9. Niceforyou (161 points)
10. Team Extreme ‘Sailing Seacily’ (145 points)
Extreme Sailing Series 2011 - Provisional Ranking after six acts
Another day in Trapani charged with adrenaline and excitement; Team Luna Rossa finishes this last-but-one day of Extreme races in Sicily in fifth position as result of the following partial results: 5th, 8th, 1st, 5th, 8th, 7th, 4th, 4th, 4th.
The race committee gave start to nine races today, in extremely light weather conditions, between 4 and 6 knots.
It was the Omani teams who captured the spotlights today. The Wave, Muscat (skipper Leigh McMillan) now has a comfortable lead on the provisional scoreboard, with Oman Air right behind, helmed but outstanding Olympic champion Ben Ainslie who moved up from its fourth place of yesterday to current secon
d place.
Groupe Edmonde de Rothschild now ranks third and Alinghi fourth, although the points are close and anything could still happen in consideration of the fact that the last race of tomorrow will be worth double points and could therefore completely overturn the top of the scoreboard.
Strong winds and large crowds. It was the perfect stage for spectacular entertainment Trapani’s third day of Extreme races were more exciting than ever. The ranking changed constantly, but at the end of the day Luna Rossa lost one position with the following partial results: 5th, 9th, 4th, 2nd , 10th, 7th.
With today’s races The Wave, Muscat (skipper Leigh McMillan) leaps to the head of the ranking thanks to its skillful interpretation of the shifty and complicated weather patterns within the port of Trapani, and Alinghi drops into second place.
Tomorrow the trials will continue with stadium racing in front of the city of Trapani, the only Italian city ever to host the Extreme Sailing Series.
Two wins today and Luna Rossa now ranks second, after two days of racing in Trapani. Team Alinghi leads the provisional scoreboard at only two points from Luna Rossa.
Today the races started at 2 pm with 10 knots of wind, that during the afternoon increased to reach over 15 knots. The races took place in open waters, whereas tomorrow, starting from 3 pm, the Extreme ’40 boats will race in front of the Trapani port.
RAI will broadcast the event live on Rai Sport 2 both Saturday Sept. 17th and Sunday September 18th from 3 pm onwards.
The Sicilian city of Trapani gave start today, for the second year in a row, and following the successful Act of the 32nd America’s Cup, to the Extreme Sailing Series races.
Luna Rossa earned 33 points in the provisional ranking and is now 5th in the event scoreboard following the partial results of the day: 4th – 4th – 6th - 4th - 9th .
Winner of the day was the Alinghi crew (skipper Tanguy Cariou), with The Wave Muscat (Leigh McMillan) second and Oman Air (skipper Ben Ainslie) third.
From September 15th to Sunday 18th the races will take place within the port of Trapani and with the “stadium-race” format.
This phase of the event is expressly designed for
the spectators, who can enjoy the spectacular show from the land or from the racing village situated on the molo Ronciglio – Stazione Marittima.
Italian TV channel RAI will air the event live on Rai Sport 2 on Saturday Sept 17th and Sunday September 18th starting from 15.00 hrs. (possible changes in the schedule could be caused by the weather conditions).
Following the first five events in the Extreme Sailing Series circuit, Trapani now takes the scene from September 14 to 18 for Act 6th of the 2011 racing season.
Team Luna Rossa, currently second in the overall provisional ranking, reached Sicily on Friday to commence training in the waters of Trapani.
The Luna Rossa crew is as follows:
Massimiliano Sirena - Skipper
Paul Campbell-James - Helmsman
Alister Richardson - Tactician
Manuel Modena - Crew
Giulio Giovanella - Crew
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager
Benjamin Durham - Coach
Gianni Tognozzi - Shore Team
GENEARAL RANKING FOR THE EXTREME SAILING SERIES CIRCUIT, 2011
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager: "After yesterday's results, that were certainly not our best, Luna Rossa today came back with a score that allowed her to take home a well-deserved second place. We see this second place as a very worthy achievment that brings Luna Rossa to second in the overall ranking, right behind Team New Zealand.
The combination of some really good starts and well-managed races has finally brought the team to a level that we believe reflects our work.
Unfortunately we were involved in a collision provoked by Gitana, and although there was no major damage, the umpire decision did not favour us and the resulting score didn't allow us to win the event. In any case the result of 15 days spent
in Cowes is a very positive one. The final outcome was altogether excellent, notwithstanding factors such as the extreme weather, that obliged the race committee to cancel a day of racing for the first time in the history of this event, and the strong currents and shallow waters in the racecourse area.
In fact, not only are we pleased to have placed second, but to be taking home a 'sound' boat, whereas some other teams' boats were damaged due to collisions, etc.
Luna Rossa today gains one position in the provisional ranking after yesterday's forced stop to racing due to extreme weather conditions. The fleet resumed racing this afternoon at 16.30 hrs.
Once again the Race Committee divided the fleet in two groups and allowed the races to start with use of gennakers but obliging all sailors to wear safety jackets and protective helmets due to the strong winds.
Following are the partial results for Team Luna Rossa: 2nd, 5th, 5th, 2nd.
Tomorrow will be the last day of sailing that will close this fifth event in the Extreme Sailing Series circuit.
The extreme conditions of today, with big waves, wind over 25 knots, grounded even the most experienced crews. The Extreme Sailing Series in Cowes was put on hold for the whole day, for the first time in the history of the circuit.
Thus no changes to the ranking that remains unchanged with a total of 17 races sailed. The crews will be ready to get on the water tomorrow, as planned in the event schedule.
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager: "Today was not a very positive one for Luna Rossa; we had a bad start and were assigned two penalties. In addition to this Gitana and Muscat also placed really well, and this contributed to the loss of our previous first place in the provisional ranking. It's a shame because the breeze was light, maximum of 10 knots, with sun, and the Race Committee had finally allowed a complete fleet race as opposed to racing in smaller groups as we had done in the past two days. Tomorrow the wind should get stronger again, so we expect it to be pretty tough for all of the boats."
Another positive day in Cowes for Luna Rossa. With today's performance (two third places and one win) the team maitains the leadership of the provisional ranking while waiting for the decisions of the jury regarding the position of Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.
This morning the jury addressed the protest between Artemis and Gitana regarding the collision, and penalized Artemis. The Swedish team, in any case, was unable to race due to the damages resulting from the collision.
Antonio Marrai - team manager: "Today was another very windy day, with strong currents. Once again there was a capsize, and Aberdeen, the new boat that signed up only for this single event, broke a mast; we are sorry to see our
opponents in a condition that doesn't allow them to compete. Tomorrow will be another day with strong winds. Forecasts for the rest of the week are pretty similar, tactics will be tricky."
In the wake of an excellent start the previous day, Luna Rossa today leaps forward and takes the top of the provisional ranking thanks to three wins.
The winds were strong all day, with westerly gusts up to 30 knots that obliged the Race Committee to divide the Extreme 40' fleet in two racing groups.
The strong winds provided even more spectacular racing today, and spectators witnessed a major collision between Artemis Racing and Groupe Edmond de Rothschild. Both boats incurred in significant structural damage that did not allow them to complete the racing schedule of the day.
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager: "It was an excellent day for Luna Rossa:
three first places and first in the overall event ranking. Unfortunately Artemis and Gitana both came out of this with critical damages due to their collisions. Gitana will repair during the night, but Artemis most certainly will be unable to race tomorrow."
The Race Committee, given the difficulty of the weather condisions, was obliged to divide the fleet into two groups, with a total of six boats per group. The choice turned out to be a good one for the first fleet, that raced without damages, but didn't work as well for the second group. Luna Rossa was racing with Gitana, Artemis, Aberdeen, Team Extreme and Alinghi.
The crew on Luna Rossa handled the situation really well and was able to optimize on the double disqualification of Artemis and Gitana. The new situation was potentially a boomerang, as it would have been easy to lose concentration at that point; however the guys increased their attention on board and exploited the favorable moment."
A good start for the Italian team Luna Rossa, now second in the provisional ranking thanks to the day's results: 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd.
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager: "After two days of training with very shifty weather conditions and a breeze of about 10-12 knots, the weather in the Solent today turned out to be true to its fame.
The first day of races took place under grey skies and 12 knot winds, with strong tides and moderate currents. After the third race, that Luna Rossa won with a comfortable lead, the wind rose up to 20 knots, opposite to the direction of the tides, that were about 3,5 knots, and that obliged the Jury to partially lower the mainsail and, after that, to rule out the use of the gennaker. Finally, and unfortunately for us, racing was canceled.
I say unfortunately because Luna Rossa was doing really well and had come through a tricky racing situation where the tides rode against the winds and were dictating the rule of the game.
Overall it turned out to be a positive day for us: we are currently second in the provisional ranking and only one stretch from the leader.
We could have probably done better if in the first race Nice 4 U had not damaged Luna Rossa's start. The penalty assigned to Nice 4 U by the umpires took this damage into account, but the start was lost at that point. The guys did a great job in overcoming this difficulty and in taking home a great 4th place."
It’s the UK’s turn. The Extreme Sailing Series, now halfway through the racing season, will take off on August 5 with the 5th event of the circuit dedicated to the Extreme 40’ class catamarans.
Team Luna Rossa, currently fourth in the provisional ranking, reached the Cowes event location on July 31st to start training.
The Luna Rossa crew will be as follows:
Massimiliano Sirena - Skipper
Paul Campbell-James - Helmsman
Alister Richardson - Tactician
Manuel Modena - Crew
Giulio Giovanella - Crew
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager
Benjamin Durham - Coach
Gianni Tognozzi - Shore Team
GENEARAL RANKING FOR THE EXTREME SAILING SERIES CIRCUIT, 2011
1. Team New Zealand (39 points)
2. Artemis Racing (37 points)
3. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (36 points)
4. Luna Rossa (33 points)
5. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (28 points)
6. The Wave, Muscat (27 points)
7. Alinghi (24 points)
8. Oman Air (15 points)
8. Team Extreme (9 points)
10. Niceforyou (9 points)
11. Team GAC Pindar (7 points)
Antonio Marrai (team manager):“The team is ready to get back into training tomorrow; we’re sorry that the beautiful sunny weather we had until is over, forecasts from tomorrow are for rain and lower temperatures.”
Antonio Marrai (team manager): "This Boston event has not turned out to be very favorable for our team, things didn’t go the way we hoped today.”
A combination of unfortunate factors didn’t allow us to gain the first positions: tactics, an unfavorable umpire call, evident detriment to our race due to Oman Sail’s delay in carrying out a penalty.
The ranking is still very tight and hard fought; all other teams, except for Artemis and Muscat, have sailed with alternate results: our goal now is to reach the podium”.
At the end of the first day of races Italian team Luna Rossa starts its fourth event in the Extreme 40’ circuit with a fifth place in the provisional ranking.
These are the split results of the day: 3, 1, 4, 8, 8, 9, 7.
Artemis is current leader of the score board with 60 points, followed by The Wave Muscat (59 points) with Leigh McMillan at the helm; third place goes to Red Bull Extreme Sailing (54 points).
Antonio Marrai (team manager): “This first day of races in Boston started with a beautiful sun and a fresh land breeze that gave all crews a chance to warm up. This was good because we hadn’t had a chance to sail in the previous days due to delays
in the delivery of the boats and due to customs problems.
Unfortunately, after the first four races, the wind died down. Luna Rossa started out doing well, notching up a 3rd, a 1st and a 4th place. After that unfortunately we were unable to maintain the positive trend, partly due to some tactical errors, partly due to unfavorable and patchy conditions that cost us more than it should have.
The loss of the two full days of training, as instead foreseen in the program, certainly did not help crews like ours who don’t have other chances to train on these boats.”
The Istanbul Extreme Sailing Series 2011 was record – setting for the number of races held in any event of the circuit. The eleven competing teams completed a total of 43 races.
Winner of this event was Swedish team Artemis Racing, followed by Team New Zealand and Groupe Edmond De Rothschild. Luna Rossa came in 5th with a total of 272 points.
On the last day, after ten races, these were the split results: 8th– 2nd – 8th – 5th – 7th – 4th – 10th – 2nd – 9th – 8th .
In the overall ranking, following the first three events, Luna Rossa is now fourth. At the top of the list is Groupe Edmond De Rothschild, followed by Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing.
Next stop in the Extreme Sailing Series circuit will be Boston, from June 30th to July 4th..
Antonio Marrai (team manager): “Our performance these last few days here was not the best. We were penalized both by unfortunate jury calls. We could also have gotten luckier in some occasions. We contended the bronze up to the last two races; the ranking shows how close the scores are. We will leave the Golden Horn determined to do better in the coming U.S. event.”
Luna Rossa slips and is now fifth in the provisional ranking on the last but one day prior to the closing of this third Extreme Sailing Series event.
In Istanbul today the Race Committee gave start to ten trials in which Luna Rossa obtained the following partial results: 1st – 8th – 9th – 1st – 5th – 6th – 1st – 6th .
In the two match races the team did not obtain score points.
Team New Zealand is at the top of the provisional ranking, followed by Artemis Racing and The Wave, Muscat. Tomorrow will be the last day of racing.
On the second day of racing on the waters of the Golden Horn in Istanbul Luna Rossa loses two positions in the provisional ranking. Artemis Racing remains at the lead of the provisional ranking, followed by Alinghi and Team New Zealand, both of which have an equal score.
Split results for Patrizio Bertelli’s team were as follows: : 11th – 6th – 1st – 7th – 2nd – 4th -9th.
Luna Rossa places second in this first day of races in the third event of the Extreme Sailing Series circuit reserved to Extreme 40′ class catamarans.
It was a tough day for tacticians, with shifty winds that greatly influenced the results of this day. The first overall win of the day went to the Artemis crew.
These are the partial results of the day for Luna Rossa: 2nd – 11th – 2nd – 9th – 1st – 7th – 1st .
Antonio Marrai (team manager): “This first day of racing in the waters of the Golden Horn in Istanbul was very positive for Luna Rossa. The racecourse is built like a fjord and therefore very difficult to interpret. We had surprises at every turn and our positions kept on shifting.
Luna Rossa’s second place was the result of excellent team work. If you look at the scoreboard, despite the very good starts, our crew paid a high price for two wind shifts that favored the other side of the course. Proof of this is our last place in the second race.
After winning the Qingdao event in China, Luna Rossa moves on to the third stop of the Extreme Sailing Series circuit. The event, reserved to Extreme 40’ catamarans, will take place in Istanbul starting on May 25th.
The Luna Rossa crew will be as follows:
Massimiliano Sirena - Skipper
Paul Campbell-James - Helmsman
Alister Richardson - Tactician
Manuel Modena - Crew
Giulio Giovanella - Crew
Antonio Marrai - Team Manager
Benjamin Durham - Coach
Gianni Tognozzi - Shore Team
GENEARAL RANKING FOR THE EXTREME SAILING SERIES CIRCUIT, 2011
(click here to see the ranking for each race )
1. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (20 points)
2. Luna Rossa (18 points)
3. Team New Zealand (18 points)
4. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (17 points)
5. Artemis Racing (16 points)
6. Alinghi (13 points)
7. The Wave, Muscat (10 points)
8. Team Extreme (7 points)
9. Oman Air (7 points)
10. Niceforyou (4 points)
11. Team GAC Pindar (2 points)
Antonio Marrai (team manager):“The team is ready to get back into training tomorrow; we’re sorry that the beautiful sunny weather we had until is over, forecasts from tomorrow are for rain and lower temperatures.”
Luna Rossa’s Extreme 40’ team, led by syndicate owner Patrizio Bertelli, was the winner of this second event in the Extreme Sailing Series 2011 held in Qingdao, China.
The team, composed by Massimiliano Sirena - Skipper, Paul Campbell-James - Helmsman, Alister Richardson - Tactician, Manuel Modena - Runner, Giulio Giovanella - Crew, Antonio Marrai - Team Manager and Gianni Tognozzi - Shore Team, won first place with a total of 227 points in 29 races in five days of racing (from April 13 to 17).
Second place went to Emirates Team New Zealand (222 points), whereas Groupe Edmond de Rothshild (214 points) came in third. Italian team Niceforyou, skippered by Alberto Barovier, came in 10th with 122 points.
Following the excellent outcome of this Chinese event Luna Rossa is now third overall Circuit rank, with equal points to second ranking Emirates Team New Zealand (18 points). Groupe Edmond de Rothshild, winner of the first event in Muscat, Oman, remains in the lead with 20 points.
The Extreme 40' catamarans will be back on the water in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 25th to May 27th for the third event of the Extreme Sailing Series.
Max Sirena (skipper): "We were really happy to have achieved this result, we’re looking forward to a great evening to celebrate the win! It is a big result for us because we are a new team in this circuit. Although Paul and Alistair are winners from last year, Manuel and I are still learning a lot
about these boats. The improvement from Muscat has been significant, both in speed and in our team work on board. Now we’re ready to concentrate on our next event in Istanbul which, I know, will be both exciting and very challenging."
Antonio Marrai (team manager): "The day was a succession of adrenaline hits. Our position in the ranking kept on changing after each race. In the first two races we weren’t very lucky: conditions were difficult, with no wind and lots of wave. In the races that followed however we nailed a series of perfect starts. The guys made no mistakes and the impeccable tactics contributed to the end result. I think it was a well-deserved win, fruit of a lot of hard work and lessons learned from the past event in Oman.”
A very positive day for Luna Rossa who, thanks to today’s excellent results in Qingdao, leaps to the top of the provisional ranking. The scores that led to this result were respectively 2nd, 3rd , 1st 1st, 1st . Both the first and second races (match race and speed test) were won by Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team, although the result only gave them a 2 point advantage overall.
The weather today was a typically non-windy day. Fortunately the format was the “stadium race” and the event took place within the waters of the olympic port, where a light breeze (very shifty both in direction and intensity) allowed the racing to take place, but that made conditions very hard to interpret.
Antonio Marrai (team manager): “We didn’t have the best of starts. We lost both a match race and a speed test against Red Bull. The guys didn’t let this bother them however, in fact they seem to have optimized on the challenge and went on to perform really well. CJ’s (Paul Campbell-James) starts were excellent and his tactic choices altogether impeccable.”
A dramatic was in store for many teams as they capsized and overturned in Qingdao during the first series of“stadium racing” regattas held in the inner waters of Fushan Bay, China.
The weather forecast was for wind around 12 knots, with gusts up to 14 knots. In the morning however the conditions changed and in the course of the day the wind built up considerably, creating difficult conditions both for the Race Committee, who had a hard time in setting the course, and for the competing teams. Wind shifts and sudden gusts ranging up to 20 knots put a huge challenge on every team. Four boats capsized, boats were damaged and two sailors were injured.
Antonio Marrai (team manager): “The day for us was not altogether negative, even though it could have turned out better. The overall result is positive, although, in view of our adversaries’ results, we could have closed in on Team New Zealand, currently in the lead. We are happy with our fourth place, since point-wise we are really close to the second and the third ranking teams. In all of this, the guys did an excellent job in taking the boat home in these conditions.The second race was especially well managed, the start was great, but Lady Luck wasn’t on our side. What really feels good is the steady improvement of the team.
A positive outcome for Luna Rossa on this second day of racing in the low temperatures of Qingdao where the second event of the Extreme Sailing Series circuit is now in full swing.
Today Team Luna Rossa achieved the best score among all teams in the fleet, ranking first for the day with a total of 50 points and with the following split results: 1st , 6th , 2nd, 7th , 4th , 2nd. Thanks to this positive performance Luna Rossa takes two steps up in the general ranking and now lies 4th in the provisional ranking, with a score equal to that of 3rd ranking team Alinghi; the leader of the event remains Emirates Team New Zealand, followed by Red Bull Extreme Sailing.
Antonio Marrai (team manager): “It was a good day
for us. The races started as usual with a breeze of about 8-knots, with builds of stronger and intense puffs.
It was quite different from yesterday; there were sudden releases in pressure and a tendency of the wind to sudden drops that made the tactics all the more challenging and spectacular.
Luna Rossa started off strong with a first in the first race, and closed the day with an excellent second. The ups and downs that on another day could have been a problem didn’t affect today’s result and we closed the day as highest scoring boat. The shifty and complicated the wind patterns are well reflected in today’s results for all teams.”
First day of racing started today, in cold Qindgao, set on the Chinese sea in front of Fushan Bay, and home of the 2010 Olympics and of the second event of the Extreme Sailing Series. Team Luna Rossa, after the first days of training, set out on the water to race in the Extreme 40’ catamaran. After the first six races the team scored a total of 42 points, respectively 7-6-5-4-4-4 placements.
Six more races are scheduled for tomorrow. The ranking currently shows Emirates Team New Zealand at the top, followed by Artemis Racing and Red Bull Extreme Sailing.
Antonio Marrai (team manager): “It was a tough day for tactics. The wind kept on shifting and there was a very strong current caused by the tidal changes that made sailing each leg even
more difficult. Our starts today unfortunately were not brilliant.”
The first event of the Extreme Sailing Series international circuit has come to an end. Eleven teams, representing nine different nations, have in the waters of Oman from February 20th to 24th, in a total of 32 races.
Groupe Edmond De Rothschild (FRA) won this first event. Second place went to Artemis Racing (SWE), with Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT) placing third. Luna Rossa achieved a fifth place with a total of 234 points, right behind Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) who finished in fourth position with 236 points.
The next venue of the Extreme Sailing Series will be Qingdao, China (15th - 17th April 2011).
FINAL RESULTS ACT 1 - 24.02.2011 (click here to see the single race results)
With the last seven races of today, the first event of the Extreme Sailing Series international circuit has come to an end. Eleven teams, representing nine different nations, have in the waters of Oman from February 20th to 24th, in a total of 32 races.
Groupe Edmond De Rothschild (FRA) won this first event. Second place went to Artemis Racing (SWE), with Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT) placing third. Luna Rossa achieved a fifth place with a total of 234 points, right behind Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) who finished in fourth position with 236 points.
On this final day Luna Rossa won three out of seven races, thus earning the points necessary to step up in the ranking and to move from its previous 6th to its current 5thplace.
Antonio Marrai (team manager): "This has been a really good day for the team; we are new in this class, and the participation to this first event has been very productive for us. Our results show a steady improvement, and I believe that this is an excellent starting point for the future.”
Today’s racing in the Gulf of Muscat included a total of 8 trials. The breeze built up without delay on the course set up along the coast of Oman’s capital Muscat, where the eleven Extreme 40′ teams put on an exciting show for the public on land.
Team Luna Rossa is currently seventh in the provisional ranking, having won two races today, thus scoring the following split results: 8th – 2nd – 6th – 9th – 1st – 1st – 4th - 5th.
Tomorrow, Thursday February 24th will be the last day of racing. The fleet will then move on to Qingdao (China) for the second event that will take place in the month of April.
Paul Campbell-James (helmsman): "I’m really pleased with our two wins today; the Team
is working well. The game is still on on and there are still plenty of points to be spread out.
Tomorrow will be an important day and we plan to get out there well- prepared and ready to give our very best!”. Provisional ranking after 25 races:
Luna Rossa, with two wins in today’s races, moves up to 6th place in the provisional ranking, with a total of 103 points.
Of the six races scheduled, five were carried out with the usual fleet race format, whereas the sixth and last was a match race. The course was positioned along the coast, few meters from the shore.
Team Luna Rossa’s results of the day are as follows: 1st – 3rd– 4th – 7th – 5th– 1st
In the match race the Italian team won against local team Oman Air, helmed by skipper Sydney Gavignet (FRA).
Max Sirena (Skipper): “We started and closed our day in the best of ways by winning two races; after the unfortunate results of yesterday the
team reacted positively; the crew is still making some adjustments, but we are all giving our best, day after day.”
Five more trials in Muscat today, with Luna Rossa losing one position in the provisional ranking: the Italian team is now eighth.
The results of today’s races are as follows: 6th– 8th– 11th– 8th– 3rd, for a total of 62 points in the provisional ranking.
The Team, although at its first experience in this Class, has showed determination in the starts and familiarity in the maneuvers; during the ninth race, at the upwind mark, Luna Rossa was damaged by its fellow Italian team Niceforyou who failed to yield the right of way. In the collision Luna Rossa loaded water on board and registered damages in the video equipment at the stern: Niceforyou was later penalized by one point (-1 point). by the Jury
Team Luna Rossa made its debut today in the first regattas of the Extreme Sailing Series. The first six trials of the international circuit of Extreme 40’ catamarans took place today in the gulf of Muscat, in Oman.
Luna Rossa ranked seventh, with a total of 28 points, with the following results in each race: 7th – 11th – 7th – 2nd– 5th– 2nd .
In the first race the Team was awarded a penalty due to a lack of luff (controlla il termine con Antonio!) by The Wave Muscat, helmed by Trovar Mirsky (AUS); in the second race an early start penalized the team and cost them a discouraging last place in the race.
Antonio Marrai (Team Manager): “We started on an uphill, but the team then made a good
recovery and reacted positively; from the results of the last races we can’t say that it was a negative day”.
Provisional ranking after 6 races:
1. The Wave, Muscat; Groupe Edmond de Rothschild; Artemis Racing; Alinghi (49 points)
Following an initial training period, Team Luna Rossa is ready to start racing tomorrow in the first regattas of the Extreme Sailing Series 2011 season.
The first practice races took place today in the waters in front of the city of Muscat, Oman. Not all teams participated, taking the opportunity of these final hours to finalize their preparations on land and in the water.
The “open water” racing is scheduled for tomorrow and Monday February 21st; start time is at 14 hrs local time ( +3hrs Italian time), whereas from February 22nd to February 24th the trials will take place in the course set up in front of the village, and will be open to the public in order to allow viewing of the races from the land.
The Luna Rossa crew is composed by Max Sirena (skipper), Paul Campbell-James(helmsman), Extreme Sailing Series 2010 champion Alister Richardson (tactitian-mainsail), Manuel Modena, Giulio Giovanella and Ben Durham (coach).
Today Team Luna Rossa has started to prepare for the 2011 “Extreme Sailing Series”, the championship designed for Extreme 40’ class catamarans. The Extreme Sailing Series is one of the most challenging and spectacular circuits in world-class professional sailing; its 9 international events calendar spans over the entire year 2011, starting on Feb 20th in Muscat, Oman, with a final race scheduled from December 9th to 11th in Singapore.
The ultra-light Extreme 40’ catamarans (about 12 meters long) have a crew of four and can reach 25 knots of speed; each event provides spectacular fleet racing in which duels are often won at just a few meters from the finishing line.
“Luna Rossa”’s skipper will be Max Sirena
, with Paul Campbell-James, current Extreme Sailing Series Champion, at the helm. Completing the crew are Alister Richardson (tactician), Manuel Modena and Giulio Giovanella. The team is coordinated by Antonio Marrai - Team Manager - , with Ben Durham in the role of coach and Gianni Tognozzi in charge of shore operations.
