Performance Communications | September 12, 2014
To celebrate Act 5 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff and launch global logistic provider GAC’s sponsorship of the Team Raleigh professional cycling team, Performance Communications launched the first ever CycloSail event.
Teams of professional sailors, cyclists and members of the press were challenged by a two part race around Cardiff harbour on Extreme 40 sailing yachts, followed by a 16km team time-trial. Five teams entered alongside the Team Raleigh-GAC cyclists and included GAC Pindar, Groupama Sailing Team, J.P. Morgan BAR, Realteam and Gazprom Team Russia.
In high winds, Team Raleigh cyclists including George Atkins, Yanto Barker, Ian Wilkinson, Liam Stones and Evan Oliphant were treated to a thrilling race around Cardiff harbour. Cyclists and media alike soon found their sea legs with J.P. Morgan BAR winning the sailing section, followed by Groupama Sailing Team in second and GAC Pindar in third.
The teams then set off in 30 second intervals on the 16km time trial course with a sailor from each team led by a Team Raleigh-GAC professional and a member of the media. The sailors selected for the time trial included Hugh Styles (GAC Pindar), Nick Hutton (J.P Morgan BAR), Franck Cammas (Groupama Sailing Team), Alberto Barovier (Gazprom Team Russia) and Bruno Barbarin (Realteam).
The Team Raleigh-GAC cyclists were clearly in their comfort zone back on dry land, but the sailors showed their impressive strength and fitness amassed from years of Extreme Sailing to grit their way through the 16km course.
GAC Pindar took the time trial with a narrow lead, piping Gazprom Team Russia who finished second, with Realteam and Groupama sailing team in joint third. Hosts GAC Pindar took the overall honours, led home by Team Raleigh’s Yanto Barker and GAC Pindar’s Hugh Styles.
