A day at sea with Extreme Sailing team GAC Pindar

Denzil Pinto 17:00 26/03/2014
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  • Having watched a couple of sailing races on television at the Olympic Games, I was always intrigued by the challenges the sailors have to face on the boat.

    And recently, I was lucky enough to be part of the GAC Pindar team as a guest sailor at the second act of the Extreme Sailing Series (ESS) in Muscat, Oman, where I would be able to experience a race for 20 minutes.

    When a highlights video was played prior to the first race of six, I knew what I was braced for. The weather was pleasant, not much wind and calm waters – perfect weather for sailing.

    I only had two or three minutes to prepare for the team's second (and my first) race after arriving on the GAC Pindar boat. It was enough time to listen to the instructions of Sam Newton, bowman, who pointed out the four spots on where I should be when the boat moves around a corner in the course. At this point, I was amazed by the boat's sheer size which was 40 feet in length, 23ft in width and weighing 1,250 kg.

    Clinging on to the ropes and trying to make sure I didn't do anything that would deter GAC Pindar's chances, the race began. It was the first time I had been sailing and while the boat reached top speeds of 46mph, I was enjoying every second.

    While on the boat I observed something that can't quite be expressed or appreciated through a television screen. I noticed that communication, fitness and team-work is mandatory in sailing. With 11 other boats on the sea, the team skippered by Seve Jarvin is in constant contact with each other on when to overtake as well as how to overcome the weather challenges.

    And while I was told to move to the four spots, the team – Jarvin, Newton, Troy Tindill, David Gilmour and Ed Smith remained focused on the challenge ahead.

    With the wind playing a particularly significant role in winning or losing a race, the crew members battled hard to ensure they could gain the edge on the teams ahead of them.

    As I was moving to my instructed locations, the crew overcame all obstacles in front of them and finished the race in 10th position. I played my part (although I did very little) and was even told by Newton that I was the 'lucky charm'. 

    One thing I did learn is that being on the ship itself tells a completely different story to what we see as mere spectators of the sport. The amount of hard work put in by the sailors was extraordinary and, with only had a few minutes rest before the next race started, it is little wonder that it's called the extreme sailing series.

    Overall it was an experience I will always remember and I am thoroughly proud to say that I made my ESS debut with GAC Pindar in 2014!

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