Grassroots Team Portugal to take on Extreme Sailing Series™ pros in Act 4

Providing up and coming Portuguese sailors with experience in the ultimate Stadium Racing championship, grassroots Team Portugal is set to meet the Extreme Sailing Series™ professional crews on the start line in Cascais, from 5-8 July.

The fourth Act of the 2018 Series will have the people of Portugal cheering and chanting as their young team, mentored by co-skipper and professional Portuguese sailor Luís Brito, takes on the tough guys on home waters in the circuit's mid-season fight.

Expecting classic Cascais conditions of big but shifty breeze, Team Portugal knows that they face a challenge.

"Cascais will be a difficult regatta," admitted Brito. "The north wind will be shifty and will constantly change pressure. Even though we know the area well, local knowledge won't make a difference in this kind of competition. The other teams race at a very high level."

Still, the ever prepared Brito – who sailed with Spanish Impulse in Act 3, Barcelona and has vast previous GC32 experience - has a game plan.

"We aren't as physically strong as the other teams, and we're actually also a lot lighter," he explained. "We had the same issues on board Spanish Impulse but we sailed smart and with simplicity which enabled us to achieve a good result. No secrets; we'll be implementing the same strategy onboard Team Portugal."

Brito is joined by local sailors from Lisbon and the Algarve region: Bernardo Loureiro, João Assoreira and two-time National Champion in the laser class, Henrique Brites. The Portuguese crew is bolstered not only by their mentor's expertise on the water, but also by British sailor Adam Piggott, bringing with him an understanding of the Series and its challenges, following prior participation on the circuit.

"This team is a new team," said Brito of his crew. "We have no pressure other than to learn. Three of our crew members have never sailed this boat before; it will be fun."

Pleased to be sailing under the Portuguese flag once again, Brito hopes to do his country proud.

"It's a great feeling to sail on home waters again," he said with a smile. "It's been a long time since I've sailed in Portugal, and even longer since I've sailed for my country. I'm looking forward to it."

Team Portugal will be joined in Cascais by the six regularly competing teams – Alinghi, SAP Extreme Sailing Team, Oman Air, INEOS Rebels UK, Red Bull Sailing Team and Team México.

Racing is due to start on Thursday 5th July at 14:00 local time (UTC+1). Get ready, the battle for the mid-season top spot is about to begin.

Act 4, Cascais - Team Portugal (POR)

Co-skipper – Luís Brito (POR)

Co-skipper – Henrique Brites (POR)

Crew – Adam Piggott (GBR)

Crew – Bernardo Loureiro (POR)

Crew – João Assoreira (POR)