For the 2012 Extreme Sailing Series, British Olympic Tornado sailor Leigh McMillan will return as helm of The Wave, Muscat for the second consecutive year. Leigh, who skippered the boat for six of the nine events in 2011, led his team to an impressive four podium finishes, including two event wins in the UK and Italian legs. Here, he introduces his new team, speaks about their aspirations for the 2012 Series, and reveals a new look for The Wave, Muscat!
“The 2011 Series finished in Singapore in December and we are straight back into it, with the 2012 Series starting in February at The Wave, Muscat in Oman. It’s exciting to start the Series on our team’s home-waters and Muscat is going to provide some great sailing conditions – good breeze, warm weather and blue skies.
“This year I have had the chance to put my own team together which is a great opportunity and I am confident we have a good set of guys onboard who are capable of getting some good results.
“Our Bowman from 2011 Khamis Al Anbouri (OMA) has moved onto a new project and will be sailing with Oman Sail’s offshore team. He has been a real asset to The Wave, Muscat and it is great that he now has the chance to develop new sailing skills within the offshore world. That has paved the way for Hashim Al Rashdi to come onboard – he travelled with us last year learning the ropes, and now he has the chance to represent his country in a global circuit.
“We also have Peter Greenhalgh from the UK. Peter has heaps of Extreme 40 experience and was part of the 2007 Series winning Team Basilica. It is great to have a guy with his experience on board.
“Our final crew-member is Kiwi Ed Smyth. Ed is a really talented guy and his experience within the America’s Cup, match-racing and in the 49er has meant he has stepped straight on board and got to grips with the Extreme 40 really quickly.
“We have been in Oman over the last month with a lot of the other teams carrying out the refit on the boat, and we were lucky enough to get some time on the water before any of the other teams. It is ideal training conditions here, normally a good afternoon breeze 15knots, flat water and clear skies – and we are making the most of the time on the water before we head to Muscat for the event.
“We are up against some tough competition this year. A lot of the teams are returning for their second or third Series so there is a lot of experience amongst the fleet. It is going to be full-on racing right from the first event at The Wave, Muscat and we can’t wait! We have high expectations this year and I really think we have the potential to get some great results. We have set our sights on the podium and our ultimate aim is to win the Series. We are looking forward to some great racing, and in some really exciting new venues – it’s going to be a fantastic year.”
The 2012 Extreme Sailing Series global tour will take place over nine months, with eight events spanning three continents – once again in Oman, Europe, Asia and new for 2012, South America. The opening event will be held at The Wave, Muscat, Oman from the 28 February – 2 March, before travelling to China, Istanbul, Portugal, the UK, France, and Italy before concluding in Brazil in December.
