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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND -- A large number of very small elements contribute to the outcome of every yacht race.  And today for Team Dennis Conner, one of those elements played a huge role.

A shackle on a genoa sheet opened up during the critical pre-start maneuvers. "It couldn't have happened at a worst time," said a disappointed Ken Read, helmsman of Stars & Stripes.  "It took away all of our options.  But you've got to hand it to Gilly.  He saw the opportunity and did not let it go to waste."

When the starting gun sounded, Peter Gilmour, skipper of the Nippon Challenge, had a controlling position and used it to full advantage.

"These boats are all so close in speed right now, you just can't give anyone that kind of an edge," Read added. "Still, we kept working at it.  Our afterguard worked a couple of (wind) shifts really well, and we gave them some anxious moments. However, Gilmour sailed a great race and earned the victory."

Today's race was sailed in 13-18 knots of wind.  Nippon had a 29-second advantage at the first mark. After more than two hours of racing, the separation had changed by only 16 seconds.  The final winning margin for Nippon was 45 seconds.

Tomorrow Team Dennis Conner faces the leader in the Louis Vuitton Cup Series -- Prada.

Standings
1	Prada	21-1	64
2	AmericaOne	18-5	63
3	Nippon	15-8	56.5
4	America True	15-7	47
5	Stars & Stripes	14-9	45.5
6	Spain	10-13	35
7	Young America	13-10	33
8	Abracadabra	8-15	25
9	Le Defi BTT	6-17	23
10	Young Australia	3-19	9
11	FAST 2000	2-21	8

 

Victories are worth one point each in Round One, four points in Round Two
and nine points in Round Three.

Crew List
Ken Read	Helmsman
Peter Holmberg	Afterguard
Tom Whidden	Afterguard
Peter Isler	Afterguard
Chuck Brown	Runners
Eric Doyle	Main Trimmer
Jim Cannon	Main Caddy
Bill Trenkle	Port Trimmer
Mike Toppa	Starboard Trimmer
Stu Felker	Grinder
Larry Mialik	Grinder
Jeff Dionne	Grinder
Robbie Young	Pit
Matt Smith	Mast
Rob Myles	Sewer
Geordie Shaver	Bow
17th Prson -- Allen Drinkrow

 



 

For additional information:
Tom Leweck, Team Dennis Conner
TEL:  029 992-013
FAX: 64 9 9799 701
Team Dennis Conner website: http://www.stars-stripes.com/