AMERICAONE WINS RACE 3 AGAINST YOUNG AUSTRALIA
Gear Breakage Challenges Both Teams
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, December 4, 1999 – AmericaOne, the San Francisco-based St. Francis Yacht Club’s America’s Cup 2000 challenger, won Race 3 in the third round of the Louis Vuitton Cup against Young Australia (AUS 31) by 55s. Both teams suffered breakage, which made for challenging racing – Young Australia tore two headsails and AmericaOne momentarily lost its main halyard.
Spectacular conditions greeted competitors on the Hauraki Gulf: 16 knots of wind, sunny skies, and flat seas. After a brief delay by the Race Committee to allow Young Australia to replace broken mainsail battens, the pre-start period began. AUS 31 had the favored starboard end when entering the pre-start, an advantage they maintained to win the start. Trailing across the line, AmericaOne had better boat speed and gained steadily.
As AmericaOne moved into the lead on the first leg, the headsail tore on AUS 31. AmericaOne continued to increase the distance over the next two and a half legs. With just one-quarter of the last windward leg to sail, USA 49’s main halyard broke causing the mainsail to slip approximately 10 feet. Quick teamwork sent bowman Greg Prussia up the rig to fix the halyard and the mainsail was re-hoisted. USA 49 went on to win comfortably.
“You never know what will happen during racing,” said AmericaOne main trimmer Terry Hutchinson. “Today’s halyard problem is a good example of our team being prepared and not letting a potentially devastating development get the best of us. The crew did a great job today.”
Ross Munro and his wife Marilyn Horne, of yachting apparel retailer Line 7, rode as 17th crew aboard USA 49 and AUS 31, respectively. Line 7 is a supplier of AmericaOne and a sponsor of Young Australia.
RR3/Race 3 Starting Line-Up: Greg Prussia, 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; Phil Trinter of Lorain, OH, grinder; Matt Welling of Bay Shore, NY, 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, navigator; Paul Cayard of Kentfield, CA, helmsman; John Kostecki of Fairfax, CA, tactician; Ralf Steitz of Port Washington, NY, 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. Ross Munro of Auckland,
NZ. Final Scores To Date:
Prada / 64 points*
AmericaOne / 63 points
Nippon Challenge / 56.5 points
America True /47 points
Stars & Stripes / 45.5 points
Spanish Challenge /35 points
Young America / 33 points**
Abracadabra 2000 /25 points
Le Defi Francais /23 points
Young Australia /9 points
FAST2000 /8 points
*Prada Challenge had BYE today.
**FAST 2000 did not compete today due to a broken mast yesterday.
Young America sailed the course alone and picked up 9 points for the race.
Other Delta Results:
Nippon Challenge beat Stars & Stripes – Delta 00:45
Spanish Challenge beat America True – Delta 00:22
Le Defi Francais beat Abracadabra – Delta 00:46
Young America beat FAST2000/ FAST2000 WAS NOT ABLE TO SAIL DUE TO A BROKEN MAST
AmericaOne ‘s schedule for the remainder of Round Robin 3 is as follows:
