Knickerbocker Cup Semi
Holmberg Set to Race World Champion;
America's Cup Skipper Face-Off
September 13, 1997

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Peter Holmberg steered Team Virgin Islands to a 2-1 win-loss record against New Zealander Murray Jones in the quarter-final round of the Knickerbocker Cup currently underway in New York Harbor. Designated skipper for the Virgin Islands America's Cup Challenge and No. 6-ranked Omega match racer in the world, Holmberg is slated to face No. 2-ranked racer, Australian Peter Gilmour, in Sunday's semi-final. The current World Match Racing Champion, having won that title at the Championship in Sweden last July, Gilmour is expected to helm Japan's Nippon Challenge for the America's Cup 2000.

Sailed in light 10-knot winds, that shortened Saturday's race schedule to a best-of-three series, Holmberg's performance was further tested by extreme local currents that affected timing and strategy decisions made by Team Virgin Islands crew members John Cutler (tactician), Steve Gruver (trimmer) and Cameron Dunn (mainsail). Holmberg Page 2 of 2

Saturday's first face-off between Holmberg and Jones set the pace for the day's series. Team V.I. took the start, but Jones passed on the downwind leg with a stern wind assist. Holmberg gained on the beat to round the mark just a length astern of Jones before engaging in a jibing duel on the final run to the finish. Jones crossed first by a mere five feet.

Holmberg's race two start earned Team V.I. a substantial lead that was challenged on the first run of the windward-leeward course when a cruise ship crossed the harbor. "We considered trying to cross his bow," said Holmberg, "but were forced to slow down and go astern." The interference allow Jones to catch up, but Holmberg surged ahead at the bottom mark, gained more ground on the last beat, and won by three lengths.

Sporting a win apiece, Holmberg and Jones crossed the start line together for Saturday's finale. "Muray led at the top mark by two lengths, but we jibe-set and rolled him to take a two-length advantage by the bottom mark," reported Holmberg. "Jones gained on the next beat to round the top mark right on our stern, so we jibe-set again into a better wind and went on to win by two lengths."

Terry Hutchinson of the United States and Bertrand Pacé of France also advanced to the Sunday semi-final.