2017 Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 3 press conference: What they had to say

Sailors from the seven international crews gathered this morning for the press conference ahead of the first day of racing at Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 3, Madeira Islands. Here’s what they had to say…

Thursday 29th June 2017

Sailors from the seven international crews gathered this morning for the press conference ahead of the first day of racing at Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 3, Madeira Islands. Here’s what they had to say…

Arnaud Psarofaghis, co-skipper and helm of Alinghi: “We feel really confident coming to Madeira for Act 3, we were really looking forward to this event. Last year was great, this year will be even better but I think we will try to keep away from Red Bull Sailing Team and Roman Hagara and see if we can keep our mast up. I’m sure we will really enjoy racing in Madeira this year.”

Rob Bunce, skipper and bowman of Land Rover BAR Academy: “We had a wonderful event in China and came second, which was our best ever result. We certainly owe a lot of our good result in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup to the high level of competition in the Extreme Sailing Series, and all the great teams we get to race against. We’ve got a slightly different line-up here in Madeira than we did in Bermuda, as obviously we have a 12 man squad, so a couple of different faces, but we’re excited and we’re confident we can put in a good result.”

Chris Steele, co-skipper and helm of NZ Extreme Sailing Team: “There’s a good buzz in the team after the recent New Zealand victory in the America’s Cup. We’ve got a couple of new members on the boat; Harry Hull and Aaron Hume-Merry and Sam Meech, who’s an Olympic bronze medallist, so definitely exciting times ahead for the team, for the sailors and new guys. We’ll try to build on the back end of what was an awesome result in the America’s Cup. We’re excited for the opportunity to get out there and do our own racing this week and hopefully get a couple of good results.”

Phil Robertson, skipper and helm of Oman Air: “I think the young pups on the newer teams are nipping at our heels all the time so it’s getting difficult, they’re definitely very talented and very good teams and most of the skippers here were young pups at some point and raced on the Extreme Sailing Series. They’re getting better and they’re going to mix up the results so I think it’s exciting for the Series.”

Roman Hagara, skipper and helm of Red Bull Sailing Team: “Sailing without Hans-Peter is going to change my whole life, it’s like when you’re married and your wife is not with you, I already feel alone here but it’s all good, we have some Kiwis filling the roles, that’s four kiwis on board now and seeing the result of the America’s Cup I think we’re at the top now, no problem.”

Adam Minoprio, helm of SAP Extreme Sailing Team: “SAP Extreme Sailing Team definitely enjoy foiling conditions, as would all the skippers, all these boats are designed to foil and are a lot more fun when we’re flying the boat off the water. As for this week, if we look 500 metres out to sea there’s really good breeze, it’s my first time here and I hope the breeze can come in and stay consistent over the week.”

Mariana Lobato, skipper of wildcard Team Extreme: “The Magenta Project is trying to help female sailors to sail in big events so this opportunity to race in the Extreme Sailing Series is a great example.”

The Extreme Sailing Series has partnered with the Sailors for the Sea for this event, who are here to help educate the sailors and event staff in the ways that they can become more sustainable. Isaac Silveira, Vice President of the charity, said a few words: “Sailors for the Sea Portugal are here to help this event be more sustainable because the ocean that you use for sailing is your playing field, and ours. We come to you, the sailors, as you are the stars, and we want to help the teams become more sustainable. We hope it is an attractive and successful event, but also a sustainable one.”

Racing begins at 14:00 UTC just off the shores of the Madeira Islands capital, Funchal. Follow the action via the live blog.