Extreme series' season sails off in Muscat

MUSCAT, Oman - It's sailing, just much faster, much scarier and much wetter.

The Extreme Sailing Series launched its season on Tuesday in Muscat, which is playing host to the four-day event for the second time.

The series' next stop is Qingdao from April 17-20, where sailors will launch from the port used at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Headlining the event are the Extreme 40 class boats, which are designed to travel faster than the wind propelling them.

The 12-meter carbon boats can reach speeds of up to 40 knots; even in a 15-knot wind they reach speeds up to 25 knots. Races are short - usually ranging from 15 to 20 minutes - and teams may compete in as many as eight per day. The event mixes open-water racing with stadium-style short-course racing.

The courses focus on maneuverability, speed and spectator access.

Perhaps the trademark of the tour is that the boats frequently tip over - highlight videos of last year's races show crew members flying into the water with frightening regularity as they attempt to maneuver the tight courses in heavy winds.

That's fine with everyone involved - a little danger is part of the appeal. Unlike standard races, Extreme Sailing is designed to be a spectator sport. Events take place relatively close to shore and organizers emphasize on-the-water officiating, which means results are usually known immediately, rather than coming after a lengthy protest from one of the teams.

Eight teams featuring 40 sailors from nine countries are on tour.

The crews feature 21 Olympians - including four gold medalists - as well as 47 world champions, 36 America's Cup campaigns and 11 world-record holders.

The tour began with five venues in 2010, grew to nine in 2011, then dropped back to eight this year when Boston withdrew thanks to the struggling US economy.

After Muscat and Qingdao, the tour will proceed to Istanbul; Porto, Portugal; Cardiff, United Kingdom; Trapani, Italy; Nice, France; and conclude in Brazil in early December.

The Qingdao stop, which will take place on the breakwater overlooking Fushan Bay, featured four capsized boats and one broken mast in one day of racing last year.

The Muscat stop winds up with the finals on Friday.

China Daily