Sailing: Team Aberdeen win at last

SINGAPORE- After three days of intense competition, Team Aberdeen finally notched their first win.

Team Aberdeen, who are the local entry of the Extreme Sailing Series 2015's opening Act in Singapore, emerged victorious in yesterday's third race - and 21st of the Act - capitalising on strong winds.

But, if their win was a surprise, especially as they started the day's races bottom of the fleet with only 64 points, so was the entire day. Five different teams chalked up victories throughout the six races, with Gazprom Team Russia winning twice.

Said Team Aberdeen skipper Nick Moloney: "It's amazing to finally get our first win after 21 races. But, really, we should've won at least three races today.

"There were two other occasions when we were leading, where we got our tactics right. But, ultimately, the other teams shunted us aside when it mattered.

"But my goal is still the same as when we arrived here - to finish in the top five. We're bottom now, but there's no reason why we can't spring a few more surprises tomorrow on the final day."

Another surprise came earlier, when Aberdeen Asset Management, the team's sponsors, partnered the Breast Cancer Foundation for the second time to turn the Race Village at the Promontory @ Marina Bay into a healthy shade of pink.

All-women crews, including breast cancer survivors, raised awareness for Breast Cancer by paddling 200m across the bay, with sailors from the various teams drumming to spur them to the finish line.

Then, adding to the topsy-turvy events, Austria's Red Bull Sailing Team stormed ahead of the Danish-flagged SAP Extreme Sailing Team to continue the musical chairs at the top of the leaderboard.

Red Bull replaced SAP as Day 3 top dogs, after SAP had usurped Oman's The Wave, Muscat on Day 2.

"It was an almost perfect day for us, a few little mistakes," said Red Bull skipper Roman Hagara. "But I think if we do the same tomorrow, it'll be fine.

"Last year, we were so close to winning the Act, so now I think it's time for us to win."

This article was first published on Feb 08, 2015.
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