AMERICAONE IS AT THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD WITH TWO WINS ON OPENING DAY
Team Faces Off With Bravo Espana and America True
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, October 18, 1999 – AmericaOne, the San Francisco-based St. Francis Yacht Club’s America’s Cup 2000 challenger, got off to a good start with two wins in the first day of racing for the 2000 America’s Cup season. In Race 1, AmericaOne defeated the Spanish Challenge’s Bravo Espana (ESP 47) by 1 minute and 9 seconds. In the second race, AmericaOne beat America True (USA 51) by 3 minutes and 45 seconds.
“In the first race AmericaOne remained close to the Spanish Team. On each lap we were able to increase our lead,” remarks AmericaOne Tactician John Kostecki. “The weather conditions in the second race were really tricky, so when John Cutler (America True) crossed the starting line early, we were given a nice advantage. The first lap was close but things really opened up for us in the third leg and we were able to stretch the lead on the last run to the finish line.”
Day One Starting Line-Up: Curtis Blewett of Los Angeles, CA, bow; Ralph Steitz of Port Washington, NY, mid bow; Bill Bates of San Diego, CA, mast/sewer; Josh Belsky of Rye, NY, pit; Phil Trinter of Lorraine, OH, grinder; Jim Nicholas of San Diego, CA, grinder; Matt Welling of Bay Shore, NY, grinder; David McClintock of Portsmouth, RI, upwind trim; Morgan Trubovich of Newport, RI, downwind trim; Gavin Brady of Annapolis, MD, runner; Paul Cayard of Kentfield, CA, helmsman; John Kostecki of Fairfax, CA, tactician; Bruce Nelson of San Diego, CA, traveler; Terry Hutchinson of Annapolis, MD, mainsheet; Sean Clarkson of Middletown, RI, main assist and Lexi Gahagan of Wilmington, DE, navigator. The 17th crew person for Race 1 was St. Francis Yacht Club member and AmericaOne supporter Larry Finch. In Race 2, St. Francis Yacht Club Commodore Monroe J. Wingate rode in this position.
Final Scores: Abracadabra 2000 (1 point), America True (O points), AmericaOne (2 points), FAST2000 (0 points), Le Defi Francais (1 point), Nippon Challenge (1 point), Prada (2 points), Spanish Challenge (0 points), Stars & Stripes (1 point), Young America (2 points) and Young Australia (0 points).
Round Robin 1
During Round Robin 1 each of the 11 Challengers from seven nations will race each other one time – the winner receiving one point per race. In the first round, the race committee is scheduled to run two races for five pairs on two courses during the racing days leaving one team taking a bye in each flight of races. Racing is scheduled to begin daily at 10:40 AM local time on a 12.5-nautical mile windward-leeward format, four-leg course. AmericaOne’s schedule for the remainder of Round Robin 1 is as follows:
