The Extreme Sailing Series organisers OC Sport has announced a switch of racing platform from the Extreme 40 to the GC32 catamaran for the start of the 2016 season
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The Extreme Sailing Series will now be held on foiling GC32 catamarans, as the competition moves to foiling yachts as part of a long-term strategy.
The series, which celebrates its tenth season in 2016, will introduce the fleet of foiling GC32’s in time for the next run of events in 2016. The competiion is currently held on Extreme 40’s.
The super-light GC32 foiling catamarans can reach speeds of almost 40 knots and the 2016 season will again feature professional and brand-backed sponsored teams racing at iconic venues as diverse as Saint Petersburg, Cardiff and Sydney. Yachting World Racing Editor Matt Sheahan sailed the GC32 early this year and was ‘hooked’ in just one sail. Read his report here.
The switch to foiling will also bring forward a refresh of the Extreme Sailing Series format, which will now incorporate Pro-Am racing on short courses, and open water racing where venues permit, as well as its original format of sailing close to shore in it’s successful ‘Stadium Racing’ concept.
A GC32 foiling catamaran racing in the Round the Island Race, 27 June 2015 , Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour. © Sander van der Borch
Related: The foiling phenomenon- everything you need to know about the move to foils
Related: Profile of the GC32: the cat that learned to fly at 30 knots
Today’s announcement of a switch to GC32s from the start of the 2016 season is part of a longer term commitment by OC Sport and The Great Cup BV (builders of the GC32s), as Laurent Lenne, CEO of the company behind GC32s, summarised: “Together we aim to develop the GC32 as a global and accessible class for both professional teams of all levels and private owners wanting to experience high speed big boat foiling and racing.”
The foiling GC32 catamaran marks a move away from the exisiting Extreme 40 fleet pictured below.
The Extreme 40 catamarans in Cardiff Bay for Act 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series 2015. Photo: Mark Lloyd
OC Sport has ordered a number of GC32 boats to ensure availability for teams considering entering the Extreme Sailing Series 2016.
For more information on the Extreme Sailing Series, visit www.extremesailingseries.com