OC Events, organisers of the iShares Cup – the European Extreme 40 Sailing Series – has announced the creation of the inaugural Extreme Sailing Series Asia, to be staged between November 2009 and March 2010.

The first year of the Asian series will include events in Hong Kong, Singapore and Oman with the possibility of a fourth venue to be confirmed, and with a plan to grow into a six-event series by 2011/12.

After the finale of the six-stage European iShares Cup circuit last weekend in Almería (Spain), five of the boats – who have already committed to the Asian circuit – were packed up to be shipped directly to Hong Kong.

The first event in the Extreme Sailing Series Asia will take place over the 20-24 November in Hong Kong. Muscat, Oman, will host the third event over the 1-5 February 2010, just before the start of the America’s Cup in neighbouring United Arab Emirates – subject to the current dispute.

For more visit www.extremesailingseriesasia.com