AMERICAONE DEFEATS ABRACADABRA AND TAKES SECOND PLACE IN THE STANDINGS
Upper Wind Limits Make for Challenging Racing
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, December 3, 1999 – AmericaOne, the San Francisco-based St. Francis Yacht Club’s America’s Cup 2000 challenger, won its second race of Round Robin 3 against Abracadabra (USA 54) by 3m 15s, and moved into second place in the overall standings. Conditions remained at the upper wind limits today, blowing 16-23 knots, on the Harauki Gulf with small white caps visible on the water.
AmericaOne’s Skipper Paul Cayard aggressively positioned USA 49 at the start with an “early hook” pushing Abracadabra above and to windward of the starboard tack layline just before the start of the race. At the first leeward mark, USA 49 had a six boat length lead. Throughout the race the AmericaOne Team increased and defended their lead, keeping close watch and a lose cover on USA 50; Paul Cayard and the AmericaOne Team always remaining between the mark and USA 50. The resulting win gave them a satisfactory nine point victory.
“The conditions were really challenging today,” explains AmericaOne Tactician John Kostecki. “We felt good about our racing from all aspects – boat speed, tactical maneuvering and overall strong team performance. This is when you want all of those elements to be in phase, as points in Round Robin 3 are critical.”
RR3/Race 2 Starting Line-Up: Curtis Blewett of Los Angeles, CA, bow; Ralf Steitz of Port Washington, NY, mid bow; Bill Bates of San Diego, CA, mast/sewer; Josh Belsky of Hood River, OR, pit; Matt Welling of Bay Shore, NY, grinder; Phil Trinter of Lorain, OH, grinder; Jim Nicholas of San Diego, CA, grinder; David McClintock of Portsmouth, RI, upwind trim; Carter Perrin of Houston, TX, downwind trim; Lexi Gahagan of Wilmington, DE, runner; Paul Cayard of Kentfield, CA, helmsman; John Kostecki of Fairfax, CA, tactician; Morgan Larson of Capitola, CA, traveler; Terry Hutchinson of Annapolis, MD, mainsheet; Sean Clarkson of Middletown, RI, main assist, and Gavin Brady of Annapolis, MD, navigator. The 17th crew person was Mr. Grant Lilly.
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Final Scores To Date:
Prada / 64 points
AmericaOne /54 points
Nippon Challenge /47.5 points
America True /47 points
Stars & Stripes /45.5 points
Spanish Challenge /26 points
Abracadabra 2000 /25 points
Young America / 24 points
Le Defi Francais /14 points
Young Australia /9 points*
FAST2000 /8 points
* Young Australia had a BYE today
Other Delta Results:
Spanish Challenge beat FAST 2000 – Delta 01:59:55
Nippon Challenge beat Young America – Delta 04:55
Prada beat Le Defi Francais – Delta 00:37
America True beat Stars & Stripes – Delta 00:30 Round Robin 3
AmericaOne’s schedule for the remainder of Round Robin 3 is as follows:
