Sailing head to head

Two teams of 49ers went head to head during Act 5 of the Extreme Sailing Series from Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.  This Olympic class was an instant hit from the moment it was introduced in 2000, attracting many of the world’s top dinghy sailors to this high performance class, and they are a natural fit with the ‘stadium sailing’ format of the Extreme Sailing Series.

‘Team EC’ Benji Borg and Seb Ripard from Malta and Britain’s Simon Marks and Nick Murray took to the water pre-Extreme 40 racing from Saturday to Monday, and the breezy conditions delivered some class and exciting racing in front of the crowds.

“We love having the opportunity to race the 49ers in front of the public,” said Simon Marks. “This really helps the audience to understand what sailing is all about these days. This kind of stadium racing is all action - it’s all go, go, go!”

Benji Borg and Seb Ripard have been sailing together since 2010. With two qualifiers to go for the 2012 Olympic Games, the guys feel they are on the right track to participate and are positive about qualifying for 2012. Their first experience at an Extreme 40 event showed them what it is like to race in front of an audience:  

“People really appreciate what sailing is all about thanks to the Extreme Sailing Series. This is much more exciting than F1 racing. It’s brilliant!” said Benji Borg.