Boston bound

Extreme Sailing Series makes its debut in the USA

After an epic Istanbul, the Extreme Sailing Series now heads to Boston, the first time the circuit has staged an official event in the United States.

“Boston is proud to be the first U.S. city to host the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series to our waterfront for the city’s July 4th celebration – one of the largest in the nation,” said Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston.

The Boston event will be staged at Fan Pier as part of the Boston Harborfest celebrations and it is lining up to be a very special event.

Taking place from Thursday, 30 June to Monday, 4 July, every day is open to the public and there will be plenty of attractions. The 11-boat Extreme 40 fleet will showcase their close combat ‘stadium’ style of racing in front of the spectators at Fan Pier, a 21-acre site on Boston’s waterfront spanning nine city blocks, owned by the Fallon Company, and the venue where the boats berthed in Boston during the last Volvo Ocean Race. The Extreme 40s will be supported by 49er racing, Laser and J22s racing for the official charity Courageous Sailing, fireworks, live music and street performers, and aerial demos from the Red Bull Air Force skydivers. Media partner Boston’s Fox25 TV will be capturing all the action as part of their scheduled live programming from Fan Pier.

“As part of our on-going evolvement to bring more and more to the spectators both on and off the water, we are really delighted with the Boston line-up and especially that the Olympic 49er Class can join us for the first time this year,” said Gilles Chiorri, Events Director, OC ThirdPole. Some of the USA’s and Canada’s finest 49er sailors will be showcasing their skills to the crowds ahead of the Extreme 40 racing.

The public will have plenty to enjoy but for the Extreme 40 sailors, their focus is purely on one thing – winning. After three events in Muscat (Oman), Qingdao (China) and Istanbul (Turkey), three different teams have so far claimed victories – Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (Muscat), Luna Rossa (Qingdao) and Artemis Racing (Istanbul) skippered by American Terry Hutchinson. Can another team claim victory in Boston? Dean Barker’s Emirates Team New Zealand came so close in Istanbul and is desperate for a win. Red Bull Extreme Sailing, on the podium in Muscat, but an outright event win still eludes them – a victory in Boston would be a mighty celebration as the US round is supported by local event partner, Red Bull. And despite their crash in Istanbul, Alinghi, helmed by 2010 runner-up Yann Guichard, is raising their game with a podium finish within their sights. And now The Wave, Muscat has a new skipper in the form of Britain’s Tornado Olypmian Leigh McMillan, who helped steer Ecover into third place overall in 2010, taking over the reigns from Torvar Mirsky.

A total of 43 races were staged in Istanbul – the most ever at one event in the circuit’s history – and this could be replicated, or even exceeded, in Boston if the weather plays ball. The short 15-minute races are mentally and physically demanding.

Schedule (all times are local or GMT -5hrs)

Daily, 30th June to 4th July
1100-2300 Race Village opening times
1100-1300 Courageous Sailing (official venue charity) including Lasers and J22s
1100-1300 49er Sailing
1400-1700 Extreme 40s racing in Boston Harbor at Fan Pier
1730 Prizegiving
1600-1900 Street performers
1900-2300 Live music entertainment in Race Village

Thursday 30th June (media day)
1100-1200 Press Conference
1330-1400 Red Bull Air Force skydivers in Race Village
1830-1900 Red Bull Air Force skydivers in Race Village
1800, 2200 & 2300 FOX 25 live broadcast from the Race Village
1900 Opening Ceremony
2115 Fireworks at Boston Harbor at Fan Pier

Friday 1st July
0600-1000 FOX 25 Morning news live broadcast
0700 Red Bull Air Force live jump on FOX 25
1330-1400 Red Bull Air Force skydivers in Race Village
**please note that times/activities might vary

49er Sailors Provisional Entry List Boston
Trevor Parekh/Matt Dubreucq – CAN
Zach Brown/ Thomas Barrows – USA
Rob Frost/Tom Arbuckle – CAN
Mike Brodeur/Tom Carlton – CAN
Jon Goldsberry/Charlie Smythe – USA
Max Fraser/Dan Morris – USA
www.49er.org