What's the Buzz?

Excerpt quoting David Pedrick,
as reported by Rick McGowan of the Newport(RI)Daily News
(June 23, 1997)

"As it [America's Cup] has become a harder-bitten pro sport, not many go about this in what is the essence of the sport. One of the things that appealed to me about the Virgin Islands Challenge is that it is coming to the America's Cup with a heart and a soul. It is concerned with helping the people in a place where they live."

Excerpt from the Newport Daily News
(June 23, 1997)

"The Virgin Islands challenge may not have the myriad resources of Young America [NYYC], but it has talent with ample experience at Cup level with some 18 months to go in the design process before the first boat is launched."

Excerpt from Sailing New Zealand On Line
(June 1997)

"The announcement of accepted Challenges is an important milestone in any America's Cup Defense. It is generally reckoned to be the point where the gloves come off and the players get serious. And the high drama, tragedy, fierce competition, tough talk and posturing that is the stuff of America's Cup, is about to begin."

Excerpt from The New York Times
(Sunday, November 30, 1997)

"While he may come from a small corner of the world - an island with a population of 100,000 - Holmberg carries a large amount of influence. Ranked No. 4 on the Omega World Match Race roster, he is considered a tough opponent on any international race course."

Excerpt quoting David Pedrick,
in Caribbean World, The Lifestyle and Travel Magazine
(Autumn 1997)

"This is a gladiator fight, and at the end of the day, everybody is dead, except one team. And we don't intend to be one of the dead ones."