AMERICAONE REMAINS IN FIRST PLACE TAKING ITS SIXTH WIN
San Francisco Team Clinches Its Place in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, December 9, 1999 – AmericaOne, the San Francisco-based St. Francis Yacht Club’s America’s Cup 2000 challenger, won its 6th race of the series today against the Nippon Challenge (JPN 52) by 9m 8s, in extremely light and patchy conditions on the race course. Paul Cayard, at the helm of AmericaOne, (USA 49) and Peter Gilmore, at the helm of Idaten, were ranked first and second respectively at the start of today’s match. By the day’s end, the San Francisco team handed the Japanese team their first loss of the round and secured their place in the semi-finals.
After an aggressive start, AmericaOne trailed behind Nippon Challenge over the line by four seconds. USA 49 and JPN 52 split at the mark, crossing one another up the first leg. As the pair crossed for the second time, AmericaOne benefited from a windshift and led Idaten around the first mark by 1m 15s. USA 49 continued to extend its lead by 2000 meters throughout the second leg. Despite the light conditions and fluky winds, USA 49 crossed the finish line more than nine minutes ahead of the Japanese.
“As we approach the half way mark of the Louis Vuitton Cup we’ve seen the conditions on the Hauraki Gulf range from one extreme to the other,” commented AmericaOne Skipper Paul Cayard. “The team has performed well in all of the variable scenarios, demonstrating good racing skills and patience. I’m looking forward to taking this knowledge with us as we continue into the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals.”
RR3/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; 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 AmericaOne Supporter, Mrs. Alexa Seip of Orinda, CA. USA.
Final Scores To Date:
AmericaOne / 90 points
America True /83 points
Prada / 82 points
Nippon Challenge / 74.5 points
Stars & Stripes / 54.5 points
Spanish Challenge /44 points
Abracadabra 2000 /43 points
Young America / 42 points*
Le Defi Francais /41 points
Young Australia /18 points
FAST2000 /8 points**
* Young America had BYE today.
**FAST 2000 has withdrawn from the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Other Delta Results:
America True beat FAST2000/ FAST2000 WITHDREW DUE TO A BROKEN MAST
Le Defi Francais beat Stars & Stripes – Delta 04:03
Abracadabra beat Young Australia – Delta 01:21
AmericaOne ‘s schedule for the remainder of Round Robin 3 is as follows:
