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TEAM CARIBBEAN'S MATCH RACING TEAM
ENTERS SAN FRANCISCO EVENT
St. Thomas, USVI-May 13-Team Caribbean's match racing team, led by St. Thomas native Peter Holmberg, is making another competitive stop at San Francisco's Golden Gate Invitational Match Race which begins tomorrow. Holmberg and crew are one of five teams representing syndicates that expect to compete for the America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, beginning in October, 1999. This year's Golden Gate Invitational is the sixth edition of the event, hosted by The St. Francis Yacht Club. The Grade Two regatta carries a prestigious pedigree with past winners including Russell Coutts and Paul Cayard.
Holmberg currently stands at number four in the world match race rankings. His teammates are John Cutler serving as tactician, Ben Beer and Morgan Avery. Cutler is a New Zealand native who has extensive America's Cup and match race experience; Avery and Beer are Virgin Islanders who have had extensive competitive sailing experience.
A total of eight teams will race in waters just under the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Besides Holmberg, the competitors are:
Cameron Appleton-Auckland, New Zealand-representing Team New Zealand. Just 21 years old, but already a force on the international match racing circuit. Currently ranked 80.
Jeff Madrigali-San Anselmo, CA-representing AmericaTrue. "Madro" is a Bay Area native and Bronze Medal winner in the 1996 Olympics in the Soling Class.
Tony Rey-Newport, R.I.-representing New York Yacht Club's Young America. Tony has been a long time tactician to helmsman Ed Baird and was on board when Baird won the 1995 Match Racing Championship.
Dave Clark-Perth, Australia-Dave was the 1995/96 Australian Match Race Champion and is America's Cup veteran (New Zealand 1987 and Australia 1992). Currently ranked 69.
Melissa Purdy-Tiburon, CA-Melissa is the 1997 California Match Race Champion. She was a member of the America3 Women's Team in the 1995 America's Cup and has recently sailed in the Whitbread Round the World Race.
Andy Green-Great Britain-Another youngster (23) on the circuit, Andy rose to international prominence last year by winning the Omega Achievement Award giving to the skipper with the biggest gain in the rankings.
Will Benedict-San Francisco, CA-representing AmericaOne, the St. Francis Yacht Club entry in the America's Cup. One of the Bay Area's up and coming sailors, best known for success in small boats.
The competitors will race in J-24's provided by club members. For information: Paul Larsen at 203-852-1779 or Arlene Martel at 340-776-0921 | 
