The Extreme Sailing Series travels to Istanbul this weekend for Act 6 of the action-packed stadium sailing circuit. Realteam is currently placed third overall on the season championship leaderboard and the Swiss crew will be fighting to maintain the consistency that they have shown since the start of the season against some of the best sailors in the world.
Tomorrow, Realteam will line up against 11 other Extreme Sailing teams on the start line in Istanbul to race Act 6 of the Extreme Sailing Series (11-14 September). It is a new venue for the Swiss team and this year’s event will include a special race on Saturday morning on the mythical Bosphorus, where the East meets the West.
“We are delighted to be able to sail on these waters that we have heard so much about,” said helmsman Arnaud Psarofaghis. “It will be very technical with a lot of current and wind,” he predicted.
Currently in third place on the provisional overall season standings, the team is pleased with how the year is shaping up so far. “We have consistently finished in the top five – except for one Act – and will be doing our utmost to maintain our place on the podium right up to the finish,” said Arnaud.
“Cardiff was very rewarding for us, we learned that sometimes it is better to lose a little to gain a lot!” A strategy that the team will continue to apply in Turkey…
Bryan Mettraux will be stepping off the Realteam by Realstone Extreme 40 for Act 6 due to 49er World Championship commitments in Santander and Cedric Schmidt will be stepping on. “It is great to have him onboard,” said Arnaud, who has sailed with Cedric regularly for years. “Cedric will bring a fresh approach to the team.”
“I can’t wait to get back on board an Extreme 40 for the first time this season,” said Cedric who will take the role of fifth man this week.
“I have done a lot of Decision 35 racing with Realstone and I feel ready! The crew seems very solid on the Extreme so it promises to be a fantastic event!”
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Realteam by Realstone – crew for Istanbul
Jerome Clerc
Arnaud Psarofaghis
Bruno Barbarin
Cedric Schmidt
Thierry Wasem
Etienne David – coach
Jeff Kerleguer and Sebastien Stephant – shore crew
Overall results after five Acts
1 Alinghi (SUI) 47 points
2 The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 45 points
3 Realteam by Realstone (SUI) 34 points
4 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 33 points
5 J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR) 25 points
6 Gazprom Team Russia (RUS) 22 points
7 Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 20 points
8 SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 18 points
9 Oman Air (OMA) 16 points
10 Groupama sailing team (FRA) 15 points
11 GAC Pindar (AUS) 5 points
Photo caption: Realteam by Realstone in Cardiff, Act 5, Extreme Sailing Series © Loris von Siebenthal/Realteam
