AMERICAONE LEADS THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP FINALS
Third Consecutive Win for Americans
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, February 4, 2000 – AmericaOne, the San Francisco-based St. Francis Yacht Clubs Americas Cup 2000 challenger, won its fourth race of the Louis Vuitton Finals against the Prada Challenge (ITA 45) by 1m 6s. Racing resumed today after Race 7 was cancelled yesterday due to low winds on the racecourse. Today’s win put AmericaOne in a strong position on the scoreboard with one win ahead of Prada in the best of nine series.
Racing got underway in a slight sea swell with winds at 15-17 knots. AmericaOne entered the startbox with starboard tack advantage, forcing Luna Rossa into a dial-up. AmericaOne taking control, initiated a second dial-up and pushed Luna Rossa towards the starting line. ITA 45 was forced to tack in order to avoid crossing the line early. Paul Cayard, at the helm of USA 61, tacked toward the committee boat while Francesco de Angelis, at the helm of Luna Rossa, sailed towards the pin in a dead even start. AmericaOne remained on the right side of the course, tacking at the starboard layline. USA 61 gained from significant pressure, lifting it towards the mark. The AmericaOne Team continued to stretch their lead over the Italians, rounding the first mark 12 boatlengths ahead of Luna Rossa. ITA 45 was able to gain some distance on the downwind legs but could not threaten USA 61’s position. The AmericaOne Team was confident and controlled the remainder of the race taking its third consecutive win.
“It is still an even boat race between the two teams,” remarked AmericaOne Skipper Paul Cayard. “There’s also a human factor that’s involved when competing in a high stakes game. I feel that factor is on our side.”
Finals
During the Finals the challengers will race one race a day in a best-of-nine series. The first team to win five races will win the Louis Vuitton Cup. Racing is scheduled to begin at 1:15 PM local time on a full-length America’s Cup course, three laps totaling 18.55-nautical miles windward-leeward format.
Finals/Race 7 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; Jim Nicholas of San Diego, CA, grinder; Phil Trinter of Lorain, OH, grinder; Matt Welling of Bay Shore, NY, grinder; David McClintock of Portsmouth, RI, upwind trim; Carter Perrin of Houston, TX, downwind trim; Paul Cayard of Kentfield, CA, helmsman; John Kostecki of Fairfax, CA, tactician; Gavin Brady of Annapolis, MD, strategist; Terry Hutchinson of Annapolis, MD, mainsheet; Morgan Larson of Capitola, CA, traveler; Sean Clarkson of Middletown, RI, main assist and Lexi Gahagan of Wilmington, DE, navigator. The 17th crew person was Mr. William Hoyt.
Final Scores To Date:
AmericaOne / 4 points
Prada Challenge/ 3 points
