It was success in Spain for three-time Extreme Sailing Series™ champions Alinghi, as they took their second Act win of the 2018 season today in Barcelona.
The four-day event saw the Swiss shine on the water under the Spanish sun, taking twelve race wins out of 26 in the third Act of the Series.
Strategic sailing from co-skipper Arnaud Psarofaghis and his crew – Nicolas Charbonnier, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey and Timothé Lapauw – saw match racing tactics used against rivals SAP Extreme Sailing Team, forcing their opponents further down the fleet.
“We did a good job of keeping the points safe today,” Psarofaghis said, beaming as he stepped off the boat. “We played tactically and it paid off. It’s great to win here in Barcelona.”
The Swiss have been locked in a struggle for the top spot with Danish-flagged SAP Extreme Sailing Team since Act 1, Muscat, Oman. Alinghi took the first Act win of the season whilst SAP Extreme Sailing Team ruled the Series rankings at the GC32 World Championship in Riva del Garda, Italy. The teams are now tied on points on the overall Series leaderboard.
In the Flying Phantom Series, Team France Jeune sailed their second consecutive day of straight race wins. Following their Act wins in Muscat, Oman and Quiberon Bay, France, they have succeeded in making it a hat-trick in Barcelona.
Both fleets will reconvene their on-the-water battle in Cascais, Portugal, from 5-8 July. Expect big breeze and big competition.
