Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 7, San Diego Press Conference: What the skippers said

The world-class line-up of skippers assembled today for the official press conference ahead of the start of the penultimate Act of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series™ in San Diego. Here’s what they had to say.

Thursday 19th October 2017

The world-class line-up of skippers assembled today for the official press conference ahead of the start of the penultimate Act of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series™ in San Diego. Here’s what they had to say.

Morgan Larson (USA), skipper and helm of Team Extreme San Diego (USA): “First of all, it’s a total privilege to be here in San Diego, and a big thank you to the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Tourism Authority and the city for making this happen. In the four years I’ve done the circuit, I think this is the most outstanding show of shore side facilities, the hospitality and the technical area, so Matt Reynolds and his team did a great job.

“I did all my sailing between Santa Cruz and San Diego and every harbour and port along the way, for 25 years. I really love this city and the spot where we’re going to be sailing is one of the best spots San Diego has to offer, so it’s going to be great and I’m really looking forward to it.”

John Tomko (USA), skipper and helm of Lupe Tortilla Demetrio (USA): “We’re excited, it’s new for us, new team, we’ve had 5 hours to get to know the GC so it’s gonna be a challenge for us but we’re looking forward to the experience.”

Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI), co-skipper and helm of Alinghi (SUI): “We are really happy coming here to San Diego, it’s really nice. We had really good conditions yesterday, and we’re really looking forward to the weekend. I think we have the greatest line-up so far this year, especially with Morgan Larson coming back. The racing is going to be really interesting for us.”

Rob Bunce (GBR), skipper and bowman of Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR): “It’s certainly going to be a fantastic opportunity for our team to learn from one of the greatest sailors in the country, Ben Ainslie, so we’re really proud. For a lot of the guys on board he’s been our hero growing up, so it’s going to be amazing to sail with him.”

Josh Junior (NZL), skipper and helm of NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL): “I’d just like to say thank you for having us here in San Diego, we’ve had an awesome time so far and it’s going to be a great venue for racing.

“I was a cyclor in the last America’s Cup. We’ve got two cyclors on our boat this time, Andy Maloney has just joined us, so obviously we’re just missing a few bikes on board the GC32. Racing on board the GC32 is quite different to the America’s Cup, luckily we’ve got some great sailors on the team that will show us how to do it round the race track. We’re really looking forward to this week and there’s going to be some great racing.”

Phil Robertson (NZL), skipper and helm of Oman Air (NZL): “To be honest it’s going to be hard not to come last at this event, this fleet is stacked and it’s probably going to be the hardest event of the season. So, our focus isn’t on winning at all, we’re just going to try to get a good result and be within striking distance come Mexico.”

Roman Hagara (AUT), skipper and helm of Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): “The pressure is not really on for us it’s more for the others fighting against each other. We’ll be the ones standing at the end. We’re looking forward to racing here in San Diego and I hope the others will fight it out in the back behind us.”

Adam Minoprio (NZL), helm of SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN): “We’ve got more boats on the start line here, with a very tough line up of skippers, so it’s going to be an extremely tough event in a great location. I don’t think there are going to be any games played, match racing with Phil Robertson or Alinghi. It’s going to be about who doesn’t have a bad regatta and who can remain consistent at the top of the leader board.”