Extreme 40 prang

Groupe Edmond de Rothschild fails to duck Artemis at Extreme Sailing Series Cowes

In the fourth race on the second day of the Extreme Sailing Series Cowes, France’s Groupe Edmond de Rothschild ploughed into Sweden’s Artemis Racing at the top mark resulting in severe damage to both boats – bad enough to end their racing for the day. A busy night in the pitlanes is expected to get them racing again tomorrow.

The breezy conditions on the second day of racing, with 20-25 knots steady breeze with bigger gusts earlier in the day, the 12-boat fleet was split into two groups of six and raced with reefed mainsails and no gennakers. The first group raced three races and the action was pretty spectacular as the Extreme 40 crews manhandled their boats around the tight stadium racecourse off Egypt Point, Cowes. It was in the first race for the second group that the collision occurred between Artemis Racing and Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.

Artemis Racing, helmed by Tornado Olympic medallist Santiago Lange, tacked in for the top mark on to starboard in front of Groupe Edmond to Rothschild, on port. Artemis Racing went through the tack and Pierre Pennec, skipper on the French boat, attempted to bear away around her stern, but the boats crashed causing two of the French crew to be thrown into the water. The impact was heard by thousands of spectators along the shore – a record crowd in the history of the event - who have been experiencing the amazing close up racing all afternoon. As a matter of course, the jury will hold a hearing tomorrow morning.

Artemis Racing has severe damage to the rear of their port hull and immediately called for a pump as they returned to the dock (later Santi Lange was transferred ashore for stitches). Groupe Edmond de Rothschild has sustained serious damage to their port bow and made their way slowly back under tow to the pitlane.

It is the two British helmsman of Paul Campbell-James (Luna Rossa) and Leigh McMillan (The Wave, Muscat) who are sitting pretty at the top of the overall leaderboard tonight, clearly using their knowledge of ‘home’ waters to the best of their abilities. Despite missing three races this afternoon, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild are still in third place. The Swiss Alinghi team, Roman Hagara’s Red Bull Extreme Sailing and Team GAC Pindar, skippered by Britain’s Ian Williams, are all tied on 42 points.

Tomorrow the forecast is still breezy – 17-21 knots, gusts peaking at 27-30 and the Extreme LiveTV continues tomorrow.

Results:

1st Luna Rossa (ITA), Max Sirena / Paul Campbell-James / Alister Richardson / Manuel Modena 60 points
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA), Leigh McMillan / Kyle Langford / Nick Hutton / Khamis Al Anbouri 51 points
3rd Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), Pierre Pennec / Christophe Espagnon / Thierry Fouchier / Hervé Cunningham 43 points
4th Alinghi (SUI), Tanguy Cariou / Yann Guichard / Nils Frei / Yves Detrey 42 points
5th Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT), Roman Hagara / Hans Peter Steinacher / Will Howden / Luke Cross 42 points
6th Team GAC Pindar (GBR), Ian Williams / Mischa Heemskerk / Andrew Walsh / Jono Macbeth 42 points
7th Oman Air (OMA), Sidney Gavignet / Kinley Fowler / David Carr / Nasser Al Mashari 33 points
8th Artemis Racing (SWE), Santiago Lange / Andy Fethers / Michele Ivaldi / Phil Jameson 27 points
9th Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Adam Beashel / Richard Meacham / Andrew McLean / Chris Ward 26 points
10th Niceforyou (ITA), Alberto Barovier / Stefano Rizzi / Daniele de Luca / Simone de Mari 24 points
11th Aberdeen Asset Management (GBR) John Pink / Rick Peacock, Greg Homann / John Gimson 23 points
12th Team Extreme (EUR), Roland Gaebler / Nahid Gaebler / Benedikt Wenk / Dan Morris 12 points