Friday 26 / April / 2024
MUSCAT: They took two wins and two third places in the five races that could be held, results which bookended a capsize by the team on the third race of the day.
They and the Team Wales catamaran capsized within moments of each other when the fleet was hit by a strong gust of wind as they rounded the first mark of the course and accelerated, submerging the hulls.
Extreme Sailing Series safety teams assisted both crews immediately. Pete Greenhalgh from the Omani team suffered an injury and was quickly taken ashore to receive medical attention.
Both of the high-speed craft were quickly righted, and the Omani team of skipper Phil Robertson, Stewart Dodson, James Wierzbowski and Nasser Al Mashari brought a reserve crew member on board and were able to continue racing.
Earlier, a weather front with strong winds and rain passed over the Welsh capital, resulting in a one-hour postponement before racing could get underway on Cardiff Bay.
“We expected it to be pretty puffy and squally when they sent us out, and it was,” said Robertson. “We were pretty overpowered on a couple of races today, but we got a couple of bullets, along with a swim.
“It’s not great for the team to do that, but it’s sailing, and you’ve got to be pushing it if you are going to win anything.
“We got some good results and we were pretty stoked to end the day with a third and a win after going swimming – the team rallied and got right back into the fighting spirit.
“We’ve got some work to do tonight, but we will be coming out tomorrow fully fired up for a big day.”
Overall the Oman Air team seized third place with 204 points, displacing INEOS Rebels UK by a single point. The Danish-flagged SAP Extreme Sailing Team held on to a diminished lead with 220 points, with Alinghi – who also took two wins – in second on 213.
“We will be prepared and ready to do our best tomorrow,” said Al Mashari. “It was hard with a lot of wind, but the team came together and we will look for a good result on the final day.”
