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The End of the Road for Team DC and Victory Challenge?
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| Louis Vuitton Cup - The End of the Road for Team DC and Victory Challenge? |
| AUCKLAND, NZL-(29-11-2002) Racing started on time today, hastening the demise of ‘Mr. America’s Cup’, Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes squad, and the tenacious Victory Challenge, from Sweden. Following defeats on the water, both teams were eliminated from the Louis Vuitton Cup today, subject to protest.
Team Dennis Conner has protested OneWorld to the International Jury, alleging a breach of Rule 2 – Fair Sailing. In association with Prada, Team Dennis Conner has also brought a case against OneWorld before the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel. Decisions on these are expected before the start of the Semi Finals on December 9th.
The Seattle Yacht Club’s OneWorld Challenge, and the Prada Challenge, representing the Yacht Club Punta Ala, provisionally advance to the Semi-Finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup where they will race each other beginning December 9th.
Facing elimination, the Swedish boat changed helmsmen today, handing the reins to Magnus Holmberg. But despite looking strong early, Victory Challenge trailed at every mark – the Italians were just too strong.
Team Dennis Conner elected to stick with the same sailing squad, and the result followed the pattern established earlier in this Repechage. OneWorld’s James Spithill got the better of Conner’s Ken Read on the start line, and went on to lead around the race course.
Conditions were good for racing today with 12 – 14 knot Northeasterlies gracing the race course.
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Source: Event Press |
