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Team New Zealand
Win Road to America's Cup regatta by 5-1
Auckland - 26th April 1998 -- In brilliant late autumn conditions and watched by a spectator fleet of more than 200 boats, Team New Zealand swept to a 5-1 victory over Prada Challenge of Italy in the 1998 Road to America's Cup regatta in Auckland today.
Prada Challenge notched up a big 3m 37s win over Team New Zealand in painfully light, patchy conditions in the first race of the day. But, after that, the course was moved from the inner harbour to the Rangitoto Channel and Team New Zealand, skippered by Russell Coutts, stamped their authority over the Prada team, led by Francesco de Angelis.
Team New Zealand won the next two races by comfortable margins to take the series and, with it, the Road to America's Cup trophy. Team New Zealand boss Sir Peter Blake was delighted with the regatta. "Naturally, I was very pleased with the way our guys performed. But it is also a great test of all the systems that will have to come into play during the America's Cup itself," he said.
"Apart from fulfilling our determination to stage a friendly series, this event will also hopefully help the syndicates that came down here with their campaigns." For further information, please contact: Tony Thomas. Phone: 025 2790040. |
