SAP Extreme Sailing Team - 2018 (DEN)

Having emerged triumphant in 2017, SAP Extreme Sailing Team returns for yet another epic on the water battle. Skippered by America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race sailor, Rasmus Køstner, and coached by the team’s co-founder Jes Gram-Hansen, the Danish team heads into their seventh Series in 2018.

Kiwi Adam Minoprio returns to the helm, accompanied by three-time America’s Cup sailor Pierluigi de Felice as headsail trimmer. Swedish Youth America’s Cup sailor Julius Hallström and British Moth sailor Richard Mason complete the crew for 2018.

The Danish flagged syndicate is backed by world-leading software and software-services provider SAP, who is also the Series’ Official Technical Partner.

Team Website »
Rasmus Køstner
DEN
Rasmus Køstner

Co-skipper/Tactician/Mainsail Trimmer

2017 victor Køstner will look to hold on to the top spot this year. An America’s Cup (32nd on Mascalzone) and Volvo Ocean Race sailor (Ericsson in-port race tactician), Køstner is an accomplished sailor and Extreme Sailing Series™ veteran.

Adam Minoprio
NZL
Adam Minoprio

Helm

The Kiwi helm brings with him an impressive CV; youngest ever sailor to win the World Match Racing Tour in 2009, 2nd place in the Volvo Ocean Race on Camper ETNZ 2011-12, and another 2nd place on Team Brunel during the 2014-15 race. Minoprio skippered wildcard team NORAUTO in Lisbon in 2016, finishing 2nd in the Act. He won the coveted Series title in 2017 as helm for SAP Extreme Sailing Team.

Pierluigi De Felice
ITA
Pierluigi De Felice

Headsail Trimmer

Pierluigi de Felice started sailing at the age of seven, racing optimists, before moving on to 420s and 470s. He boasts multiple World Championship titles and has competed in three America’s Cups, twice with the Italian syndicate Luna Rossa. He has also competed on the World Match Racing Tour. De Felice completed the Series with SAP Extreme Sailing Team in 2016 and 2017 - the latter being a winning year for the crew.

Richard Mason
GBR
Richard Mason

Bowman

An experienced 470 and F18 sailor, Richard also competed in the 2014 Solitaire du Figaro. Having sailed GC32s before as part of the Monaco based team Malizia, competing in the GC32 Racing Tour in 2016, Mason is no stranger to the super fast foiling catamarans. 2018 will be his second year in the Extreme Sailing Series™.

Julius Hallström
SWE
Julius Hallström

Float/grinder

Swedish youngster Julius Hallström is no stranger to the extreme. Sailing with Artemis Racing’s Youth America’s Cup team, Hallström brings another dose of speed and agility to the team of 2017 victors.