AMERICAONE NARROWLY DEFEATED IN ROUND ROBIN 2
Mid-series Race for USA 49 is Competitive Despite Light Wind
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, November 15, 1999 — AmericaOne, the San Francisco-based St. Francis Yacht Club’s America’s Cup 2000 challenger, was narrowly defeated in Race 7 of Round Robin 2 for the Louis Vuitton Cup by Prada Challenge (ITA 45). Light and shifty wind conditions on the course found both teams close in pre-start maneuvering and on the first leg, however Prada was able to position itself on the favored side of the course, gain a lead, and finish the race ahead of USA 49 by 1m.
“It’s never easy to lose,” said AmericaOne Skipper Paul Cayard. “But we sailed tough today and we congratulate Prada on their win. They did a good job at the start and defended their position well. I was satisfied with our boat speed and handling.”
Today’s racing for the Louis Vuitton Cup threatened to be cancelled when the Race Committee headed out to the racecourse and found no wind for the second day in a row. Yesterday three out of the five races were postponed due to insufficient wind, including AmericaOne’s match against Le Defi. In the past three days, two days have seen extreme wind conditions causing a modification in the round robin schedule.
Racing got under way at approximately 1:15 PM this afternoon.
After winning the pin end at the start Luna Rossa got off to a two-boatlength lead. AmericaOne gained on the Italians on the downwind leg of the 6-lap course. With the breeze building to a strong 10 knots on the second upwind leg AmericaOne continued to keep pace with Luna Rossa around the mark into the second leeward leg. In classic match-race strategy USA 49 initiated maneuvers and was countered by ITA 45 as they covered with matching gybes. Luna Rossa stretched their lead on the third lap of the course and crossed the finish line with a one-minute lead.
Race 8 against Aloha Racing’s Abracadabra is scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday, November 16, 1999.
RR2/Race 7 Starting Line-Up: Greg Prussia of Oroville, CA, bow; Curtis Blewett of Los Angeles, CA, 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; Morgan Trubovich of Newport, RI, downwind trim; David McClintock of Portsmouth, 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 was AmericaOne supporter Mrs. Jan Finch of San Francisco, CA.
Final Scores To Date:
Prada /34 points
Young America /24 points
America True /22 points
Stars & Stripes /20.5 points
AmericaOne /20 points*
Nippon Challenge /17.5 points*
Spanish Challenge /13 points*
Abracadabra 2000 /12 points*
FAST2000 /8 points**
Le Defi Francais /6 points*
Young Australia /5 points*
* Were not able to complete Race 6 due to insufficient wind
**FAST 2000 had a BYE today
Other Delta Results:
Spanish Challenge beat Young Australia by 1m 36s
America True beat Stars & Stripes by 1m 6s
Nippon Challenge beat Le Defi by 49s
Young America beat Abracadabra by 4m 58s
Round Robin 2
AmericaOne ‘s schedule for the remainder of Round Robin 2 is as follows:
