The 2010 circuit will visit five European venues, a mix of buzzing cosmopolitan cities and spectacular seaside resorts, each carefully chosen to provide not only the hottest racing but also the best vantage points for spectators to get up close to all the action.

For 2010 each regatta takes place over four days (in previous years it was three), with as many as 18 fast and furious races, each lasting around 20 minutes. Each day is a mix of corporate sailing races, giving VIP guests and media a chance to get out on the water and experience the Extreme 40 and then the real action of the Extreme Sailing Series racing itself - although there will still be ‘fifth man’ guests on board, expect the sailors to take no prisoners in the fiercely competitive races. Things will step up yet another gear for the final race of each event, which counts for double points!

Countdown to Qingdao