New kids on the block

Not only is Act 5, Hamburg presented by Land Rover a totally new Stadium for the Series, the fleet will also have a few new faces joining on the water. Find out what they had to say here after the final day of training.

Wednesday 22nd July 2015

With the Extreme Sailing Series™ making its debut on the River Elbe in less than 24 hours, the nine high performance Extreme 40s are in the water and parked up in the heart of bustling HafenCity, having just finished training for the day. Not only is Act 5, Hamburg presented by Land Rover a totally new Stadium for the Series, the fleet will also have a few new faces joining on the water.

Before racing kicks off at 1400 (GMT+2) tomorrow it is time to catch up with the new kids on the block.

The Australian heavy crew of GAC Pindar have let their Aussie rule slip and allowed a Kiwi onboard, luckily for them he’s a very talented one. Adam Minoprio, the laid back World Match Racing Champion and Volvo Ocean Race veteran, explains how his first day went on the water with GAC Pindar. “It’s all good being the token kiwi, they are good guys and good sailors so no sweat.

“It was very interesting on the water today, Seve has got me trying to call the shots with the breeze and on the bow so it’s pretty full on, I was wondering how I was going to do this all at once but it got better as the day went on, luckily! It’s fun; the boats are manoeuvrable, the racing is fast and quick, and you certainly pay for your mistakes, it’s great fun.”

Nicolai Sehested, who competed on the circuit last year, joins SAP Extreme Sailing Team for Act 5 having just finished onboard Team Vestas Wind for the Volvo Ocean Race. He reflects how it feels being back with the Danish team: “It’s a bit different to last year, but the team is sailing well and you can tell they have been developing some good routines, but the circuit and the other teams have certainly changed, just need to pick things up where I left off last year. It’s so good to be back, good guys, a good team and a great circuit; I’m happy.”

Manuel Modena, bowman onboard Lino Sonego Team Italia and winner of the 2011 Series, is expecting some great things from the all Italian team: “It is the first time I have sailed with some of the guys onboard, you may know them but not know what they are like to sail with. Luckily they are all good sailors and from what I have seen today we are in good shape, we just need to work on rounding the mark, but I think we could have some good results here in Hamburg.”

Find out how you can follow the nine teams as they compete for the title of Act 5, Hamburg presented by Land Rover here.