Media Invite
Ever heard of Extreme Sailing? Neither did I.
Until today, that is.
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| Photo taken with LG Optimus G |
The Extreme Sailing Series pits some of the very best professional sailing teams in the world against each other on identical Extreme 40 catamarans, on challenging, short yet tactical courses and close to shore to provide spectacular entertainment for the public.
Simply put, this is not your usual sailing competition where sailors take hours and hours to complete one course. Instead, each race is about 10-15 minutes long keeping the races compact, exciting and fun to watch! And to up the excitement factor, the boats race ever so close to the audience - something that is termed as Stadium Racing where the action is brought right in front of the public's eye.
This year, Singapore is back as a Host Venue for the 2013 Extreme Sailing Series, where the fleet will race within the confines of Marina Bay.
As the second leg of a eight-leg circuit around the world, the Singapore Act will see eight teams with 40 of the world’s best sailors from 11 nationalities battle for supremacy. And for the first time ever, a team representing Singapore, Team Aberdeen Singapore, will compete on home waters.
Team Aberdeen Singapore will be skippered by aspiring Olympic Laser sailor and the first-ever Singaporean skipper of an Extreme 40, Scott Glen Sydney, and is joined onboard by fellow Singaporean and Asian Games keelboat match racing gold medallist, Justin Wong. Truly inspirational youths!
But what took the cake for me was being offered the chance to experience the thrill of racing in a Extreme 40 catamaran by joining in as a guest sailor with the SAP Extreme Sailing Team from Denmark!
As the name 'Guest Sailor' implied, I practically had nothing to do but just sit in the middle of the boat and made sure that I didn't get in the way of the 5 sailors. So I did the next best thing - use eye power.
I tell you, it wasn't easy work at all! I mean the sailors' work, not mine.
All the pulling of ropes and constant shifting of positions, they totally earned my respect after my 15-minute ride.
But if you are more concerned with Team Singapore's performance, they are currently ranked 4th out of 8 teams after the first race in Muscat, Oman so there is still all to sail for in the remaining 7 races. And if you want to show your support for Team Singapore, you can!
Starting today, all the way to 14 April, a fun-packed entertainment programme and activities await families and spectators at The Promontory@Marina Bay. And best of all, it's FREE!
There's more - children can also partake in activities such as face painting, bouncy castle, remote control sailing and gyro spin rides at the Kids Zone, located at the free to enter public Race Village at The Promontory@Marina Bay.
If you are intending to head down, here is a detailed schedule of activities to take note:
Friday 12 April
11.00-15.00 Try Sailing on Pacers
15.00-18.00 Extreme 40 Stadium Racing
18.00-19.00 The Aberdeen Challenge Trophy followed by prize giving
19.30-22.30 Live music band “The Common People”
Saturday 13 April
11.00-15.30 On water activities including; optimist team racing, MBA regatta, try sailing and NeilPryde Windsurf Racing Series
15.00-19.00 Extreme 40 Stadium Racing
19.00-20.00 NeilPryde Windsurf Racing Series
19.30-22.30 Live music band
Sunday 14 April
11.00-15.30 On water activities including; optimist team racing, MBA regatta, try sailing and NeilPryde Windsurf Racing Series
15.00-19.00 Extreme 40 Stadium Racing
19.00 Act 2 Prize Giving
Slap on some sunblock, and get ready to have a sailing good time with the entire family this weekend!
In the meantime, check out these videos for a glimpse of what to expect.
Useful Details:
Extreme Sailing Series
Date: 12 – 14 April 2013 (Friday – Sunday)
Venue: The Promontory@Marina Bay
Time: Race Village opens from 11.00am, racing commences from 3.00pm
Website: http://www.extremesailingseries.com/
FREE Admission
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1 comment :
Wonderful experience on board on the sail!~
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