The Wave secures top place on day four

Dubai: The battle for the Extreme Sailing Series, Cowes title continued to build momentum yesterday in the UK among the top three boats, who between them represent Oman, France and Italy.

Another impressive performance by Oman Sail's The Wave, Muscat, has secured their place at the top of the leaderboard at the end of day four, while Oman Air, the second boat from the Sultanate, is locked in an equally tense battle mid-fleet, and an exciting win in the penultimate race of the day has seen them close the gap over their nearest rivals, with just three points separating them from Red Bull Extreme.

The strong winds finally relented a little yesterday, giving the teams some respite after the tough conditions faced over the last three days.

Ten mph winds made a stark contrast from 22mph winds on Tuesday, and Khamis Al Anbouri, bowman on The Wave, Muscat said: "Today was really different to the start of the week, the winds were much lighter but the competition on the water was just as tough.

"We did a good job today, and it is an honour to see the Omani flag at the top of the leaderboard. We have only just crossed the halfway point of the event so there's a long way to go — we've just got to keep working the way we are and hopefully we can be on the podium at the end of the week."

Head-to-head

The format of the racing changed yesterday with speed trials kicking off the day, which saw two boats race in a head-to-head challenge. The Wave, Muscat was up first, against Luna Rossa (ITA), helmed by Paul Campbell-James (GBR), the 2010 Skipper of The Wave, Muscat, who has made the move to the Italian team for this Series.

For Paul and Leigh McMillan, The Wave, Muscat's British skipper, the waters in Cowes are familiar territory, and the pair have certainly been using their local knowledge to their advantage, fighting for points on the water.

McMillan said: "It is great to sail in front of my home crowd although with the conditions we have faced so far this week home advantage hasn't really had a chance to come into play.

"It's been really good to have everyone here supporting us and there's a big Oman contingent as well, so the event is special not only on a personal level having grown up here, but because of the big support base from Oman.

"I am really enjoying having that support and just really hoping to do a good job for them all." After a win in race one for The Wave, Muscat, the team continued their performance throughout the day, rarely posting results out of the top four.

After seven races, the team climbed two places to the top of the overall leaderboard, leaving Luna Rossa to settle for third, with the French team Groupe Edmond de Rothschild in second.