Istanbul is extremely tricky

Emirates New Zealand skippered by Dean Barker with teammates Glenn Ashby,James Dagg and Richard Meacham. Credit: Mark Lloyd/Extreme Sailing Series

Tricky was the word of the day as the Istanbul round of the extreme Sailing Series got underway.

Seven races were held, six teams had wins and at day’s end only 11 points separated the top eight teams.

Dean Barker sums up the day: “The breeze was puffy, shifty and there were massive holes all over the place. In the lulls, the breeze was 3-4 knots and the puffs reached 15 knots.

“We were racing on a tight course laid on narrow stretch of water and the breeze was coming off buildings and the hills.”

Emirates Team New Zealand finished the day fifth on the leader board.

Barker: ‘It was not quite yachting as we know it... but every one of the 11 teams competing has the same difficulties to overcome. It was a day of opportunities. opportunities to gain or lose positions in seconds.”

Teams can expect similar conditions tomorrow. Depending on conditions up to 30 races could be held before the regatta ends on Sunday.

Leader board at the end of Day 1 Istanbul regatta

1st Artemis Racing (SWE) 52 points
2nd Luna Rossa (ITA) 51 points
3rd Alinghi (SUI) 47 points
4th Oman Air (OMA) 46 points
5th Emirates Team New Zealand 45 points
6th The Wave, Muscat (OMA) 44 points
7th Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA) 44 points
8th Team Extreme (EUR) 41 points
9th Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT) 34 points
10th Team GAC Pindar (GBR) 29 points
11th Niceforyou (ITA) 29 points

ENDS

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