AkzoNobel announced its high performance hull coatings have been applied in the fleet of Extreme Sailing Series, which was staged from May 1 to 3 in Qingdao for a stunning, high-speed racing show at sea.

This is part of a three-year partnership deal that AkzoNobel inked in 2014 with the international inshore stadium racing sailing series. AkzoNobel provides its Awlgrip yacht coatings that offer technical innovation, superior performance and aesthetics to the fleet of Extreme 40 high performance catamarans raced in the series.

LIN Liangqi, president of AkzoNobel China and managing director of Decorative Paints China and North Asia, said, "This sponsorship reflects our Human Cities initiative to energize and help people to establish closer emotional connect with the places they live and work."

"AkzoNobel is pleased to leverage the Extreme Sailing Series to showcase the amicable and livable urban environment of Qingdao to the world," he added

Ethan Hou, regional director of AkzoNobel SMU Specialty Coatings Asia, said, "With ease-to-use, fast-drying nature, Awlcraft SE, from the long line of Awlgrip high performance coatings, is the obvious choice for the Extreme 40 high performance catamarans used for this race. Our coatings can be made with a range of colours, including metallic, solid colours and pearl essence, which enables greater visual impact of the game."

Charlie Carter, Extreme Sailing Series technical manager, added that: "With the support from world-class Awlgrip coating solutions of AkzoNobel, viewers enjoyed the spectacular racing at its best in Qingdao."

Staged in Qingdao International Sailing Center, which applied AkzoNobel's protective coatings for better persistence of colour and lustre as well as long-term protection for steel surface, the pulsating, man-versus-machine Extreme Sailing Series features visually stunning, high-speed catamarans racing in small specially chosen circuits close to the shore which allows spectators to follow the action easily.

These catamarans are capable of reaching speeds of 35 knots (65kmh) in 20-25 knot winds, which is more often associated with motorboats.