Florianopolis confirmed

Change of venue for the final event in the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series

The Brazilian city of Florianópolis is now all set to host the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series finale over 14-17 November, where the conclusive races of the Series will be played out for the overall 2013 Series championship title.

The final event, presented by Series Main Partner Land Rover, will be the culmination of nine months of global touring for the Extreme 40 teams after starting their annual Stadium Racing tour in Muscat, Oman back in March. Before the final showdown in Florianópolis, last year’s Brazilian Host Venue Rio de Janeiro, will be the setting for two days of hospitality sailing for some of the Extreme 40 teams who will be taking VIP guests sailing in this iconic city.

Florianópolis is the capital, and second largest city, of the Santa Catarina state in the Southern region of Brazil and dubbed by Brazilian weekly Veja as ‘the best place to live in Brazil!’ Visitors flock to Florianópolis to explore the 42 white sand beaches that link the city’s 33 mile long coast, surf its world-class waves and to explore the paradisiacal beauty and tranquility of the region. The Extreme 40 racing will take place in one of Florianópolis’ Praça de Portugal in the chic district of Beira-Mar Norte. Located near the historic centre of the island near the remarkable Ponte Hercílio Luz suspension bridge, which acts as the defining feature of Florianópolis’ spectacular skyline, the fleet will race in the heart of the city, in true Stadium Racing style.

The event will be supported by the state Government of Santa Catarina and the Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis with a view to a long term, multi-year deal. Maria Cláudia Evangelista, Secretary of Tourism of Florianópolis spoke about the partnership: “It is an honour for Florianópolis to welcome this global sailing competition. Our city, surrounded by water, is going to look even more beautiful with the fleet of Extreme 40 boats.”

OC Sport Executive Chairman, Mark Tuner, is certain Florianópolis can deliver a Series finale to rival any. “Florianópolis ticks all the host venue requirement boxes and there is no doubt that it will be a spectacular venue to finish our seventh year of competition. Looking ahead to 2014, a double Brazilian Act in both Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis could deliver an extraordinary Series climax. Watch this space.”

The Series looks set to go down to the wire with long-time rivals The Wave, Muscat and Alinghi leading the charge from the relentless onslaught of the Danish SAP Extreme Sailing Team and the Austrian Olympic champions on Red Bull Sailing Team. As has been the case in every Host Venue this year, Series organisers OC Sport will reveal plans in the coming weeks of a home nation Brazilian invitational team – but before that, the fleet will meet in Nice on the French Riviera, over 3-6 October.