EXTREME Sailing Series star Neil Hunter was once again, skipper and bowman on board the British catamaran.

The Weymouth sailor took to the water for Act Five in St Petersburg, Russia.

He was exceptionally pleased with the team’s performance and said: “Act Five of the Extreme Sailing Series was a massive step forward for the Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) Academy.

“I think we’ve shown that we’re progressing rapidly as a team and we’re now mixing it with the top teams a lot more.

“I think this is testament to the hard work the guys have been putting in.”

Before transitioning into the Extreme Sailing Series, Hunter was making an Olympic campaign in the 49er class where he has won the National Championships twice.

Talking about his plans for the future and the benefits of the racing, he said: “My sailing career has taken a bit of a change of path recently.

“I’ve put Olympic sailing on hold to focus more on bigger boats with the Land Rover BAR Academy and working towards a place in an America’s Cup team.

“It’s been a really good experience to skipper the Land Rover BAR Academy.

“I think it’s really enhanced my own sailing and leadership skills and I’m looking forward to our continued success moving onwards to the Youth America’s Cup next year.”

Hunter is once again skipper on board the British vessel for Act Six in the Madeira Islands, which began yesterday.

It will conclude on Sunday, September 25 and the team will be hoping to improve on their current rank of fifth.

He is joined by another Weymouth sailor, Laser Standard expert, Elliot Hanson.

Hanson won Silver at the Weymouth World Cup and has previously taken part in Act One this year.

After the practice races ahead of the main event, Hunter said: “It was really good, with a day of practice racing in the Madeira Islands which was super exciting.

“We had some awesome conditions, 15 knots of breeze and sunshine, you can’t really beat it.

“We put in some good results which is pretty pleasing for the guys and positive moving forwards to the regatta starting, which we are really looking forward to.

“I think we are just looking to improve on our result in Act Five, St Petersburg, which was a great event for us.

“We’ve made some really massive steps forward in the past few events and hopefully we can just keep building on that.

“I think a bit of consistency with the crew is a good thing.

“We are all getting used to sailing with each other and our boat handling routines.

“We brought Elliot Hanson in this time who is a good addition.

“He sailed with us in Hamburg and he was pretty on it there so hopefully we can continue that here in the Madeira Islands.”