OREANDA-NEWS. The Extreme Sailing Series™ Cardiff presented by Land Rover arrives in the Welsh capital this bank holiday weekend for the UK leg of its global racing series, promising hard and fast competition from a full field of eight Extreme 40 catamarans. The only UK event in the competition's eight global “Acts” will see Land Rover, one of the series main partners, entering its own boat, Team Wales Land Rover. This will be an invitational wildcard entry with a predominantly Welsh crew, rich in young sailing talent.

The thrilling action will form one of the main attractions of the Cardiff Harbour Festival, with the high-speed catamarans contesting a series of racing challenges in a stadium-style setting, giving crowds a close-up view of the action from the waterfront.

Adding expert insight into the events on the water will be Hannah White, Land Rover's new global ambassador for sailing, who will be providing the race commentary for the act.

Team Wales Land Rover will be skippered by Cardiff-born Dave Evans. Aged 27, he is one of Wales' most talented sailors and, as a member of the British Sailing Team, is aiming to compete in the 49er class at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Mr Evans said: “I am extremely excited to skipper the Team Wales Land Rover Extreme 40 as it races for the first time, particularly as it is in front of my home crowd.

“Land Rover vehicles have been part of our family life for many years and I have recently been fortunate enough to put the new Range Rover Sport through its paces. The dynamics, control and outright speed closely match the performance of the Extreme 40's.”

Mr Evans is joined by fellow British Olympic hopeful Chris Grube and, from North Wales, Bleddyn Mon and Tudur Owen. Trystan Seal, 21, from West Wales, is also in the team, alongside British Olympian and Extreme 40 sailing veteran Will Howden. In spite of their youthful profile, the crew is rich in experience and competition success.

Back on dry land, Hannah White will be sharing her expert knowledge with the spectators in her race commentary. Although just 30 years old, she has established herself over the past 10 years on the single-handed offshore sailing circuit, most notably taking a podium position in the 2009 OSTAR, one of the world's toughest single-handed ocean races. Hannah has also forged a successful career as a public speaker, national broadcaster and presenter, including commentator at the live spectator site for the sailing events at the London 2012 Olympics.

Mark Cameron, Land Rover Global Brand Experience director, said: “Cardiff Bay provides a great amphitheatre for stadium sailing with the public able to watch the racing metres from the shore.

“We at Land Rover are delighted to be making our debut as an invitational race team in UK waters supporting a predominantly Welsh youth team, some of whom have their sights firmly set on the Olympics in Rio in 2016. It promises to be an exciting weekend of Extreme 40 action and we cannot wait to be on the start line.”