(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman Sail's CEO David Graham has welcomed the announcement by the organisers of the Extreme Sailing Series (ESS) to switch from the existing Extreme 40 catamarans to foiling yachts for the 2016 season.
OC Sport the organiser of the series said on Monday that the ESS will fast track to GC32 catamarans as part of a long-term strategy and partnership with The Great Cup BV the builder of the GC32s.
Speaking to Muscat Daily on Monday Graham said 'We welcome the move as foiling is the way forward. We already have a GC32 team Sultanate of Oman which is currently the leader in the Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour.
'We will be studying the feasibility of the new series and we believe that we could be part of the exciting competition with a couple of our teams.'
The ESS will celebrate its tenth season in 2016 with the introduction of a fleet of foiling GC32s which will see the world's top sailors 'flying' in front of spectators at top venues around the globe.
The 2016 season will feature a full grid of professional and brand-backed teams racing at iconic venues like St Petersburg Cardiff and Sydney.
The light GC32 foiling catamarans can reach speeds of almost 40 knots and like the bigger yachts used in the America's Cup they appear to 'fly' over the water as they lift off the surface and accelerate.
The switch to foiling will also refresh the ESS format which will now incorporate Pro-Am racing on short courses and open water racing where venues permit.
OC Sport and The Great Cup are also working on launching an annual GC32 World Cup accessible by all existing boats. Also planned are several GC32 continental circuits which could later access the ESS global circuit.
OC Sport has already ordered a number of GC32 boats to ensure availability for teams considering entering the 2016 ESS.
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