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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND -- It was light and shifty on the Hauraki Gulf today.  The wind never got above single digits and there were huge shifts, holes and "now you see it, now you don't" wind patterns. Getting to the pressure and staying in it became the top priority.

Stars & Stripes had an even start with the Le Defi BTT syndicate, but the French found more breeze on the left side of the course and had a 1:24 lead at the first mark. They built on that lead and won the race by 4:03.

"All of us know there will be races like this in light and fluky conditions," said Tom Whidden of the Stars & Stripes afterguard. "Our team will have no problem shaking off this race as we prepare for the next few days."

Tomorrow's race is against the Swiss FAST 2000 syndicate, which has retired from the regatta, followed the next day by a race against the Waikiki Yacht Club's Abracadabra 2000 syndicate.

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/