Cardiff is one of eight major venues in three continents which will be visited this year by the 2018 Extreme Sailing Series™ - which takes place for the 12th consecutive year.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Act 1 of the Extreme Sailing Series will begin next month in Oman and will then travel to Lake Garda, Italy, 24-27 May for the World Championship; followed by Barcelona, Spain, for the second time from the 14-17 June. The fleet head to Portugal from the 5-8 July, before St Petersburg, Russia, makes a comeback on the calendar from the 9-12 August. Cardiff will welcome the fleet again as part of the Cardiff Harbour Festival over the UK August Bank Holiday weekend, 24-27 August. Always a firm favourite with the public and the sailors due to the accessible waterfront stadium and close racing, this year is expected to be even more spectacular as Wales celebrates its ‘Year of the Sea’. The event is supported by the Welsh Government and Minister for Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas elaborated:
“2018 will be the seventh time for Cardiff Bay to experience the excitement of the Extreme Sailing Series. We’re celebrating the Year of the Sea in Wales this year, which is a fantastic opportunity for Wales to make its mark as the UK’s top 21st century coastal destination – with world class products, events and experiences – with this event playing an important part in the line up of attractions. “Extreme Sailing Series provides Cardiff with a global position alongside other premium worldwide venues and gives us the opportunity to promote Cardiff Bay internationally as a world class sailing and water sports venue.”The fleet then leaves Europe behind and heads west to the USA, where San Diego will host the penultimate Act from the 18-21 October. The grand finale will take place in Los Cabos, Mexico. Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury said:
Andy Tourell, the Extreme Sailing Series Event Director, who has led the development of this pioneering sporting property for the last six years commented:
“The Extreme Sailing Series has become an integral part of the city’s events programme, showcasing Cardiff Bay as a leading waterfront city and sailing destination alongside stops such as Sydney and San Diego.
“Cardiff has proved a fantastic destination for spectators and crews alike since the global competition first visited the Bay seven years ago, offering a winning blend of stadium racing and a terrific atmosphere with crowds lining the waterfront.
“With the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race this May, Cardiff Bay and the rest of the Welsh Capital can expect to be a hub for world class sailing action, entertainment and atmosphere, in what is set to be a very special year for Cardiff and Wales.”
“The Series will continue to deliver a busy menu of racing unrivalled by other events, which can see up to 32 races at every Act. This means more racing for the sailors and a better entertainment schedule for public spectators, VIP guests and media. “We will also continue to build on the trend of the past four years that has seen the average size of racecourses grow, while maintaining the proximity of the foiling action to the shore.”The world class standard of racing and unique corporate sponsorship platform offered by the Series, which is one of only seven World Sailing Special Events, will see both returning and new teams made up of some of the world’s best sailors.
2018 Calendar of Acts
14 - 17 March - Muscat, Oman24 – 27 May - Lake Garda, Italy – World Championship14 - 17 June - Barcelona, Spain5 - 8 July - Portugal9 - 12 August - St Petersburg, Russia24 – 27 August - Cardiff, UK18 - 21 October - San Diego, USA29 November - 2 December - Los Cabos, Mexico