iSportconnect TV Report: Russia and Australia Added to the Extreme Sailing Series 2014

Extreme Sailing Series organisers OC Sport have announced that Russian and Australian venues have been added to the 2014 Series, salve which has been described as the “most ambitious” to date.

The eighth ISAF Special Event will take in eight host venues, across three continents – Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The competition will span over 11 months with nine elite level teams representing seven nations who will compete for the Extreme Sailing Series trophy.

Executive Chairman of OC Sport, Mark Turner said at the London Boat during the launch: “We’ve added two commercially important markets for our stakeholders, and retained six existing venues as well as all the teams from 2013 – we continue on an upward curve with this event which is delivering elite level top class sporting action, as well as strong commercial return on investment for all its stakeholders.

“That combination remains number one priority for us with this event.”

One of the Series Main Partners, Land Rover, was on hand to announce the news at the boat show.

Mark Cameron, Jaguar Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director commented: “The new season brings eight exciting global locations, all important markets for Land Rover, and this includes two completely new cities, Saint Petersburg and Sydney.

“Each Host Venue will provide a unique mix of excitement, challenge, accessibility and the very highest quality of competition sailing.

“Land Rover is immensely proud to be a Series Main Partner for the Extreme Sailing Series.”

Singapore will host the curtain raiser to the 2014 Series, with the first starting gun on 20th February.

In Singapore the fleet will race within the confines of the ultimate city-centre stadium on the world-famous Marina Bay.

Another brand new venue for 2014 is Saint Petersburg, Russia where the Series will visit from 26-29 June.

Extreme Sailing Series ™ 2014 Host Venues:

Act 1: Singapore, 20-23 February
Act 2: Muscat, Oman 19-22 March
Act 3: Qingdao, China 1-4 May
Act 4: Saint Petersburg, Russia 26-29 June
Act 5: Cardiff, UK 22-25 August
Act 6: Istanbul, Turkey 11-14 September
Act 7:  Mediterranean 2-5 October
Act 8: Sydney, Australia 11-14 December

Extreme Sailing Series™ 2014 Teams and skippers:

Team / Skipper
Alinghi (SUI) – Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI)
GAC Pindar (AUS) – Seve Jarvin (AUS)
Groupama Team France (FRA) – Franck Cammas (FRA)
J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) – Ben Ainslie (GBR)
Oman Air (OMA) – Rob Greenhalgh (GBR)
Realteam (SUI) – Jérôme Clerc (SUI)
Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) – Roman Hagara (AUT)
SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) – Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) / Rasmus Køstner (DEN)
The Wave, Muscat (OMA) – Leigh McMillan (GBR)