Alinghi Reigns Supreme in Qingdao

11th Extreme Sailing Series; March 8-December 3, 2017

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

11th Extreme Sailing Series; March 8-December 3, 2017

<b>CREDIT:<b> XAUME OLLEROS / OC SPORT
<b>CREDIT:<b> XAUME OLLEROS / OC SPORT

SWITZERLAND’S ALINGHI were crowned kings of Qingdao for a second year running as they swept to glory in the second Act of this year’s Extreme Sailing Series. 

Alinghi had 11 podium finishes in 17 races, notching up four victories along the way to retain their winning record in Qingdao. Despite being penalised in the fifth race for being over the start line, the team came back to win it. 

Land Rover BAR Academy took the runners-up spot despite having to sit the last two races out due to boat damage. The result was the British outfit’s best since they joined the Extreme Sailing Series last year. 

The Act 2 podium was completed by Oman Air, who pulled off a sensational comeback on the waters of Fushan Bay with three race wins on the final day, including the final double-pointer to jump from sixth overall to third. 

The results saw Act 1 winners SAP Extreme Sailing Team slipping to second ahead of Oman Air in third. Red Bull Sailing Team came home in fifth overall while NZ Extreme Sailing Team slipped from third to sixth. 

The results meant Alinghi moved to the top of the Series leaderboard after two Acts, with Act 1 winners SAP Extreme Sailing Team slipping to second ahead of Oman Air in third. 

Alinghi co-skipper Arnaud Psarofaghis said: “We’re super happy to have won here in Qingdao for the second year. Our plan was always to do what we did last year – be patient and deal with whatever wind we get dealt on the water. It’s nice to be on top, but it’s early still and it’s going to be really hard to win this championship, that’s for sure.” 

SAP Extreme Sailing Team finished fourth in Qingdao, ahead of Red Bull Sailing Team, rookies NZ Extreme Sailing Team and Chinese- flagged wildcard entry Team Extreme, skippered by Qingdao sailor ‘Black’ Liu Xue, who’s also preparing for his second Volvo Ocean race campaign on Dongfeng Race Team. 

Team Extreme took home the Zhik Speed Machine Trophy for the fastest team on the water throughout the Act, with insights from Official Technical Partner SAP, after they were clocked at 29.8 knots in the first race of the Act. 

The series next heads to Madeira Islands, Portugal (June 29-July 2), a venue in Europe to be confirmed (July 20-23), Hamburg, Germany (August 10-13), Cardiff, Wales (August 25-28), San Diego, USA (October 19-22) and Los Cabos, Mexico (November 30-December 3).

http://www.extremesailingseries.com