The Extreme Sailing Series, which went global for the first time in 2011, is staying global with a focus on building in emerging markets while still keeping European stakeholders happy.
The series has announced its venues and calendar for the 2012 season with new events in Brazil and Portugal. Extreme Sailing Series 2012 will include 8 events on 3 continents and visit the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South America.
The circuit will start in Muscat, Oman and this time conclude in Brazil, home of the 2016 Olympics.
Mark Turner, Executive Chairman of the organising company OC ThirdPole says:
The circuit continues to represent perfectly the developments in the world at large, with its balance of east and west, different cultures and languages, and variety of conditions. Year on year the commercial value of hosting the event for the Host Cities has increased, and this is reflected in the 2012 developments.”
Watch an interview with Mark talking about 2011 and 2012 here…
Calendar Designed to Minimise America’s Cup World Series Clashes.
The 2012 circuit will span Europe, Arabia, Asia and South America
The 2012 Extreme Sailing Serie will start in the Sultanate of Oman in February before heading back to Qingdao, China for Act 2. Istanbul, Turkey, the gateway between Europe and Asia, will host Act 3 before the Extreme 40 fleet heads to Porto, Portugal, a new host venue in 2012. After the habitual visit to the UK in August, the circuit will return to the Sicilian port of Trapani for the third consecutive year. The iconic city of Nice will be the final stop in Europe before the 2012 finale to be staged in Brazil for the very first time.
OC ThirdPole has worked hard to manage dates around other major events in the complex professional sailing calendar, and have been in regular contact with the America’s Cup organisers to try and co-ordinate these complementary events.
Not an easy task for either party, and with some ACWS events still to be confirmed, Extreme Sailing Series has had to publish its final calendar without being able to ensure zero clashes.
Extreme Sailing Series 2012 Event Calendar Dates
- Act 1 : Muscat, Oman 28th February-2nd March
- Act 2 : Qingdao, China 19th-22nd April
- Act 3 : Istanbul, Turkey 7th-10th June
- Act 4 : Porto, Portugal 5th-8th July
- Act 5: UK August
- Act 6 : Trapani, Italy 13th-16th September
- Act 7 : Nice, France 18th-21st October
- Act 8 : Brazil 29th November-2nd December
Extreme Sailing Series Sponsorship
While the series hasn’t had a title sponsor since financial services company iShares changed ownership, the Extreme Sailing Series has good relationships with smaller partners who have a long term commitment to the tour.
In addition to the host venue partnerships, and local sponsors for each event, Marinepool continue as Official Lifestyle and Technical Clothing Supplier having launched an Extreme Sailing Series merchandising collection which is sold at events, online and in Marinepool’s retailers.
GAC Pindar, recently confirmed as Official Logistics Partner to the 2012 circuit. GAC Pindar will bring their expertise and global footprint to help the organisers and teams deliver what is an exacting schedule and logistics operation spanning the planet.
Further partners at both series and local level will be announced in the New Year.
