Sailing team embarks on 2012 race calendar
Sailing team GAC Pindar is making its final preparations in Oman, ahead of the first event of the 2012 race calendar, which will see British skipper Ian Williams and his crew tackle both the Extreme Sailing Series and World Match Racing Tour.
The Extreme Sailing Series season opens at The Wave in Muscat, Oman, from 28 February to 2 March. Three times ISAF World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams will lead the GAC Pindar five-man crew comprising of experienced America's Cup sailor Mark Bulkeley, Olympic coach Mark Ivey, past Skandia team GBR Andrew Walsh and the young, professional sailor Adam Piggot. They arrived in Oman earlier this month to oversee the refit of GAC Pindar EX40 and to start their intensive pre-season training regime.
Williams says: "This year, we have a really strong team with a great mix of skills. Everyone has been working extremely hard to get the boat ready and preparation will continue until we take to the waves at the start of the event.
"We're sailing with five people for the first part of the year so our focus is on finding the best way to sail the EX40. We know we have to step up our game. We've set our sights on a podium finish and an event win - and that's exactly what we're going to do."
The 2012 Extreme Sailing Series season promises to be the most competitive yet, with a total of 8 teams competing in the eight-event global series. The international line-up includes 21 Olympians, 36 America's Cup campaign veterans, 7 circumnavigators and 47 World Champion winners.
