IRONMAN WALES
sport
EXTREME SAILING SERIES
Forget the idea of pleasantly bobbing along the Wye river on a nice summer’ s day, this is extreme sailing at its most exhilirating.
CARDIFF Bay is once again pulling up the main sail in preparation for the sixth round of this year’ s Extreme Sailing Series from Fri 23-Mon 26 Aug. Now in its seventh season, the Extreme Sailing Series returns to Cardiff Bay as part of a three-year deal to host the event in the capital. Promising four days of high-octane racing around an assortment of courses, audiences can expect short course‘ stadium’ racing, speed trials and straight line duels. Additionally including open water racing, this year appears to be just as excitingly intense and packed with action as ever before. Following their latest appearance in Portugal, eight Extreme 40s, high-speed lightweight multihulls
( 12.2m / 40ft in size) arrive in Cardiff Bay to participate in act 6 of 8 in the Extreme Sailing competition. Sailing fans, alongside intrigued passers-by, will have the opportunity to watch the events from the waterfront public race village, and instead of having to wait post-event for information, the improved on-water umpiring will inform fans of the results as they unfold. Through updating the Series to be a more spectator orientated sport, Extreme Sailing has effectively increased its popularity with fans having the opportunity to get much closer to the action. Supporters will have the opportunity to enjoy up to eight hours of entertainment, whilst on shore activity includes a variety of food outlets, bars
and music. Children will have the opportunity to approach the water, and there will also be a range of kiteboarding and windsurfing entertainment to enjoy alongside support from the Olympic 49er boats. The Wave, Muscat, the winners of four out of seven acts in 2012, presently pose the biggest podium threat. Currently considered as one of the UK’ s best multihull sailors, skipper Leigh McMillan has succeeded in winning in both Oman and China. ROSIE WILDS
Extreme Sailing Series, Cardiff Bay, Fri 23-Mon 26 Aug. Info: www. extremesailingseries. com
IRONMAN WALES
Take inspiration fron the Brownlee brothers and don your wetsuit for the start of your intensive Ironman training. You’ ve got a whole month to prepare for Ironman Wales!
As you stroll along the beautiful coastline of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, breathe in the crisp breeze of the Bristol Channel whilst carelessly kicking your feet through the beautiful golden sands as you sip a glass of ice cold lemonade. Now imagine the beach taken over by hundreds of galvanized individuals competing against one another in a 136-mile race consisting of swimming, cycling and running. Blood, sweat and iron is the idea here as competitors with months of training under their belts vie to win one of 50 qualifying places for the 2014 Ironman World Championship, taking place in Hawaii next year. On Sun 8 Sept this spectacular setting plays an incredible host to an event unparalleled in south Wales as athletes and spectators alike take in breathtaking countryside, iconic landmarks and seaside villages. Ironman Wales is one of dozens of similar qualifying events across five continents, but few destinations can match up to the impressive Welsh setting. This is reflected in the attendance figures as the competition has seen a considerable increase in the past few years, not least due to some favourable weather. Towns and villages take part displaying Ironman flags and banners with certain coffee shops even going so far as throwing on Ironman specials in anticipation of the weekend. The competitors, who last year included athletes from almost 40 different countries, begin with a 2.4-mile two-loop swim in the grandiose setting of North Beach, Tenby, followed by a gruelling 112-mile cycle ranging over 2,000 meters of altitude. As if that wasn’ t enough, the race is concluded with the simple matter of a full marathon finishing back on the Esplanade in Tenby. Organised by the World Triathlon Corporation, the event can last up to 17 hours and is supported by worthwhile causes Macmillan and Scope. The charities offer competitors incentives to fundraise and play a part in finding the true Ironmen destined for Hawaii and beyond. Run, swim, or cycle( or get in the car) down to Tenby on the early morning of Sun 8 Sept and witness this fascinating, highly anticipated contest. TOM HOUGHTON
Ironman Wales, Tenby, Sun 8 Sept. Info: www. ironmanwales. com
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