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Holmberg Wins Trofeo
Ravenna, Italy - JUNE 28, 1989 - Sailing a short three-lap windward-leeward course in light-to-moderate 5-12 knot winds, Peter Holmberg bested Great Britain's Chris Law by a 4-2 margin in Sunday's final of the 1998 Trofeo Challenge Roberto Trombini in Ravenna, Italy.
Adversaries who have rattled swords many times before, Holmberg and Law battled with a vengeance throughout a best-of-seven final, demonstrating starting and boat-handling skills that delighted spectators.
Holmberg won the Race One start and extended his lead throughout to cross the finish by four boat lengths. Law battled back in Race Two, riding the first wind shift after an even start, then staying ahead of Holmberg by a few feet on the remaining laps to take a photo finish and even the tally.
Race Three saw Holmberg taking the start and fending-off a determined Law to finish by two lengths. Advantage Team Caribbean 2-1. A resolute match racer, Law held Holmberg to an even Race Four start that continued on the beat to windward and developed into a tacking duel. Holmberg sailed ahead at the top mark and held off Law to finish by a few feet. Advantage Team Caribbean 3-1.
The Race Five contest exploded as Law fought back in a downwind run gybing duel and exerted his dominance at the congested mark rounding, Team Caribbean took the penalty, and Law took the win by a few lengths. Advantage Team Caribbean 3-2.
The tightest of the series, Race Six saw Law leading on the first lap in an attempt to even the score, but Holmberg pursued, and luffing at the top mark, forced a penalty on Law. Team Caribbean gained ground and passed Law on the next beat to claim the photo finish and the Trofeo Trophy by a mere three feet.
A Grade One event held in new Tom 28s, the Marina di Ravenna Yacht Club-hosted competition features 12 of the world's top-ranked skippers many with America's Cup syndicate affiliations -- and offers a total prize purse of $60,000 for first through twelfth placements.
By virtue of defeating Ed Baird, the New York Yacht Club/PACT 2000 designated skipper, in last year's Trofeo Challenge, Holmberg returned as the 1998 Trofeo Trophy defender. Currently ranked No. 6 in the world and the designated skipper for the St. Thomas yacht Club's Team Caribbean America's Cup Challenge, Holmberg accrues points for winning a Grade One event and a bonus for besting a higher ranked skipper, No 3-ranked Law. "Winning the starts was key with such short courses," commented Holmberg, who lauded his new all-Caribbean crew for sailing together so well. "We had good starts, maintained good boat speed, and demonstrated great crew work. Overall it's been a great regatta." To crew his Tom 28, Holmberg selected one of St. Maarten's premier racers, Paul Dielemans (main), and St. Thomas sailors, Morgan Avery (trim), and Maurice Kurg (bow and tactics).
In Sunday's best-of-five race Petite Finals, France's Luc Pillot defeated Kiwi Dean Barker 3-0. Top four final placements were: Holmberg (1st); Law (2nd); Pillot (3rd), Barker (4th). Other competitors included: Gavin Brady (New Zealand); Paolo Cian (Italy); Morten Henriksen (Denmark); Francesco De Angelis (Italy); Mario Celon (Italy); Murray Jones (Italy); Thierry Peponnet (France); Roberto Ferrarese (Italy).
Holmberg's international match racing team is sponsored in Italy by its Team Caribbean America's Cup Challenge sponsors and American Airlines. |
