Red Bull kicks off sailing season in style; champs The Wave on top

Red Bull sailing team skipper Roman Hagara exchanged handshakes and slaps on the back with crew after the final race of the four-day event, of the Act 1 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Muscat, knowing that Red Bull’s title challenge this season is more than wishful thinking.
He could, however, be forgiven for wanting more from Act 1 of the series after going into the final day of racing with a 15-point lead following superb sailing in the three previous days of competition.
Defending champions, The Wave, Muscat shot out of the blocks to clinch three wins in the first four races yesterday and overtake the Austrians, grabbing victory at the very final race of the day, finishing just ahead of their rivals.
For double Olympic champions Hagara and tactician Hans Peter Steinacher the four-day season premiere was an overall success despite the bittersweet finale, as they seek to clinch the overall title in this campaign after coming extremely close last year. The Wave, Muscat ended up with 232 points, six ahead of Red Bull. America’s Cup winners Alinghi grabbed third spot with yet another solid day’s of sailing on 218 and their first podium position since 2011.
Next stop for the Series is Singapore on April 11-14.
Crew Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team: Roman Hagara (Skipper), Hans Peter Steinacher (Tactician), Graeme Spence (AUS/Bowman), Matthew Adams (UK/Trimmer), Pierre LeClainche (FRA); Coach: Jay Glaser (USA); Chief engineer: Harald Vettermann (AUT).