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TEAM CARIBBEAN ASSUMES "UNDERDOG"
ROLE IN MINI AMERICA'S CUP
Three Challengers Prepare To Compete In New Zealand
Auckland--April 17-- Reflecting the diverse nature of their America's Cup team , fifteen sailors from five Caribbean islands, the United States, and New Zealand have come to this "City of Sails" to compete in "The 1998 Road to the America's Cup Regatta". Racing begins tomorrow as Team Caribbean takes on teams from Italy and France in four challenger round robins over the next four days. The top two points winners then square off in the best-of-nine challenger series next Thursday and Friday. The regatta ends with a match between the winning challenger and Team New Zealand, current defender of the America's Cup, in a best-of-nine series taking place next Saturday and Sunday.
"This is a great opportunity for Team Caribbean to gain experience in America's Cup boats," said skipper Peter Holmberg, referring to the identical 70-foot yachts built by New Zealand for the 1992 America's Cup and supplied for this event by Team New Zealand. "Our focus is working together as a team and learning as much as possible which we hope will pay off when we return next year to race for the Cup."
The opening match of the regatta will feature Team Caribbean versus Italy. Then Team Caribbean will go against France, with the final race featuring the two European teams.
"I see us as the underdogs here," said Holmberg. "Italy has had a team here in Auckland for several months, training every day. They were actually racing in the same boats we'll be using against Team New Zealand last week. Experience is critical and they've had a good bit of it. France, with Luc Pillot at the helm, Sebastien Destremau as tactician and Bertrand Pace (three of the world's leading match race skippers) looks to be a strong team."
While that may be Holmberg's "official" position, there are many dockside analysts who like his chances. The Team Caribbean skipper is coming off a victory in last month's prestigious Congressional Cup in California and is currently ranked sixth (out of more than 1,200 sailors) in the world on the international match racing circuit. He is also sailing with tactician John Cutler, a native of Auckland and widely considered one of the world's best sailors. And on board are several veterans on America's Cups past, as well as seasoned match race and IMS regatta sailors.
Thursday was the first scheduled practice day and as the mainsails went up, so too did the wind velocity. Attempting to get used to the boats in 25 knots of breeze was probably not what any of the challenger teams had hoped for, but it certainly was a taste of what Auckland Harbour often has in store for those who ply its waters. And just to make sure that no forecaster is safe, Friday's practice sessions took place in winds rarely reaching even five knots.
What conditions the first day of racing will bring is anyone's guess, but Holmberg and his crew are prepared for anything. "The two days of practice in such different wind strengths were definitely very good for us," said the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands native. "Our guys are handling the boat well and we're anxious to start racing."
Team Caribbean's crew includes the fifteen men listed below plus one sailor supplied by Team New Zealand. Each of the challengers are aided by a Team New Zealand member who has experience in the boats. |
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Team Caribbean's Crew: |
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Bow |
Ben Beer
St. Thomas, USVI |
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Foredeck |
Phillip Barnard
St. Vincent, WI |
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Mast |
Dave Dutcher
St. Thomas, USVI |
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Pit # 1 |
Matt Smith
San Diego, CA |
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Pit # 2 |
Ian Exton
St. Thomas, USVI & Australia |
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Trim #1 |
Steve Gruver
Stamford, CT |
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Trim #2 |
Maurice Kurg
St. Thomas, USVI |
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Trim Main |
Jon Gunderson,
Connecticut & Auckland, NZ |
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Grind P |
Clint Brooks
Barbados, WI |
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Grind S |
Ernest Mattias
St. John, USVI |
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Grind M |
Mark James
St. John, USVI |
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Traveller |
Kiko Dalmau
San Juan, Puerto Rico |
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Floater # 1 |
Morgan Avery
St. Thomas, USVI |
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Floater # 2 |
Team New Zealand crewman |
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Tactician |
John Cutler, St. Thomas, USVI
& Auckland, New Zealand |
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Helmsman |
Peter Holmberg
St. Thomas, USVI |
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Team Caribbean is sponsored in this regatta by American Airlines and GANT USA. For more information, E-mail Paul Larsen at Larsenmedia@compuserve.com. |
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