We are now very familiar with the format of this spectacular series, which offers a show as close to the spectators as possible and maneuvers which are always impressive, both for the novice and the seasoned racer.
By choosing a 32-foot catamaran on foils, the organizers wanted to offer an even more exciting spectacle while giving the crews a more technically interesting craft, which is above all totally modern.
In 2016, 14 crews met up for the 8 Acts raced around the world (Muscat – Qingdao – Cardiff – Hamburg – St Petersburg – Madeira – Lisbon – Sydney) and once again, we had to wait for the last one to know who had won. For the third time (after 2008 and 2014) the Swiss crew on Alinghi won. They were, however, second when they arrived in Sydney for the final Act, behind Oman Air, but with just two points to catch up, everything was possible for the two crews. And we had to wait for the twenty-fourth and next to last race in Sydney to know who had won in 2016!
Suspense to the end
Oman Air’s domination in the first half of the 2016 season was total, but as the season advanced, the Swiss crew on Alinghi turned into the kings of consistency, by winning slightly more than a quarter of the 169 races run during the year, and the final four Acts.
Oman Air, who had nevertheless given their all, had to be content with third place in Act 8 behind the Danish crew, SAP Extreme Sailing Team, but nevertheless finished in a superb second place in 2016’s overall classification.
Overall Classification of the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series™
Classification / Crew / Points
1st Alinghi (SWI) 101 points
2nd Oman Air (OMA) 99 points.
3rd Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 91 points.
4th SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 83 points.
5th Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) 70 points
6th Visit Madeira (POR) 63 points
7th CHINA One (CHN) 29 points
8th Team Turx (TUR) 11 points
