(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Sultanate of Oman overcame a late challenge from Spindrift racing to claim the Austria Cup the opening event of the 2015 Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour on Lake Traunsee on Sunday.
Led by Leigh McMillan Sultanate of Oman recorded two race wins and two podium finishes on the last day to finish on top with 38 points. Spindrift racing (46) ended runner-up while Alinghi (49) completed the podium in the five-team event.
L-R: Mashari Alister Richardson Glenn Ashby Pete Greenhalgh and Leigh McMillan
Over four days McMillan's team secured 14 podium places from the 17 races emphasising its appetite for staying in the frontline; yet the victory came as a surprise.
'It was a really unexpected start to the GC32 campaign for us' said McMillan. 'We were on the backfoot coming into this but we had a lot of experience on board from across a variety of campaigns. With the guys being such good friends it was always going to be an enjoyable experience.
'It made it a bit easier for us to get out there and get stuck into the racing and it just let the racing do the talking. There is still lots to learn but we have really enjoyed the steep learning curve so far.'
McMillan paid tribute to the contributions of his crewmates America's Cup sailors Alister Richardson and Glenn Ashby but reserved special praise for his bowman Nasser al Mashari who like Pete Greenhalgh and himself had to make a hasty switch from Extreme 40 to GC32 racing without much in the way of preparation.
'We couldn't have won if Nasser wasn't absolutely at the top of his game. He only had four days on the boat before the start but he picked it up very quickly. He's a natural talent.'
For Mashari the visit to Lake Traunsee was not just about winning but also about being part of a new Oman Sail venture. 'It was an amazing start for me on a totally new boat' he said. 'There was great spirit in the team so it was an incredible experience for all of us. We are happy and proud to be able to raise our Omani flag here in Austria.'
The win was witnessed by Oman Sail CEO David Graham who was invited on board for a few races. 'I am absolutely delighted for the team' he said. 'They have worked hard to get the boat here and the crew together. We were actually a late entry and I am absolutely elated for our sailors. They have done a fantastic job for the country.'
McMillan is now looking forward to the Cowes Cup in the UK for the GC32s which will take place from June 24-27 when he hopes for more wind and the possibility of breaking Alinghi's new speed record of 39.2 knots in a GC32.
On the final day the crews arrived at the race centre in Gmunden. In an attempt to find good wind the race area was shifted 12km to the southern end of Lake Traunsee at Ebensee. It proved a successful move with eight to ten knots winds that were stable. As a result six races were sailed in swift succession.
Alinghi had an up-and-down day with two wins and two poor results but as on Saturday it was Spindrift racing that was impressive - the only team never finishing off the podium.
Yann Guichard the skipper of Spindrift racing said 'We have been the best for the last two days - which was a nice result.'
Morgan Larson the helmsman on Alinghi paid tribute to Sultanate of Oman his rival team from the Extreme Sailing Series saying that the Omani team has set a 'new benchmark'.
Final standings [after 17 races]:
1 Sultanate of Oman (38 pts) 2 Spindrift racing (46) 3 Alinghi (49) 4 Team ENGIE (53) 5 Armin Strom Sailing Team (69).
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