Oman Air took its second Act victory in a row in a thrilling Hamburg finale, despite last minute pressure from SAP Extreme Sailing Team. The triumph sees the Omani syndicate move into pole position in the overall rankings. Red Bull Sailing Team rounds off the podium while early season leader Alinghi posted its worst result since 2012, following an action-packed, crowd-pleasing day on the River Elbe for Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 5, Hamburg, presented by Land Rover.
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"We're over the moon," said a grinning Phil Robertson, skipper and helm of the Omani-flagged squad, who adds to his growing tally of recent sailing successes, which include wins in the World Match Racing Tour and M32 World Championship, as well as in the previous Extreme Sailing Series Act in Barcelona.
"The fight was on today and the boys fought hard. SAP Extreme Sailing Team was sailing well and getting win after win so we knew our lead was getting smaller, but we didn't panic, which was key," commented Robertson, whose team has sat top of the Act podium since race one.
"I'm going to put my feet up for a week, that's for sure," added Robertson, whose winning crew included Pete Greenhalgh, Ed Smyth, James Wierzbowski and Nasser al Mashari.
The penultimate Act of the Flying Phantom Series was won by Red Bull Sailing Team, who has dominated the competition since the first stage in Madeira Islands. Kiwi sailors Olivia Mackay and Micah Wilkinson racked up an impressive 15 podium finishes, including five wins, from 17 races. Culture Foil, sailed by Eric Peron and Théo Constance, follow in second with ZEPHYR by Idreva, sailed by Charles Hainneville and Antoine Rucard, in third.
The international fleet of GC32s will reconvene in Cardiff in less than two weeks for the sixth Act of the eight-Act season, headlining the Cardiff Harbour Festival. The UK stage will also see the champion of the 2017 Flying Phantom Series decided.
Full results, here
From OC Sport
