Auckland, NZ -- Stars & Stripes, which was the only undefeated team of the Semi-Final Series of the Louis Vuitton Cup,
lost a very challenging race today to the San Francisco-based AmericaOne syndicate on New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf.After an awesome start in 7 knots of breeze by Helmsman Ken Read and the crew aboard USA-55,
a wind shift to the right favored the AmericaOne boat putting her in the lead and Stars & Stripes was unable to find a passing lane after that. "It is definitely hard for us to lose today after being in
the lead," said Helmsman Ken Read. "But we have to put this race behind us and go out there tomorrow and focus on beating the Japanese again."
Team Dennis Conner will also be waiting
tomorrow to hear the Arbitration Panel's decision regarding the nationality issue of a rudder that Stars & Stripes used during the first race of the Semi-Final Series against Japan. "Although the rudder
issue is still lingering, our crew is staying focused on winning races, said Team Dennis Conner's Director of Operations Bill Trenkle. "We feel confident that we have followed the 'rules' outlined in the
protocol and the decision is basically out of our hands."
The official delta for today's race was 2:42. Stars & Stripes is scheduled to race the Japanese syndicate, Nippon Challenge, tomorrow
afternoon starting at 1:35 p.m. NZ Time.
For more information contact: Veronica Cahill
Media Relations
Team Dennis Conner
Sailing Compound: 64-9-9799-700
Mobile: 64-29-99-2013
