In the battle among Virgin Islanders at the Louis Vuitton Cup in New Zealand, former V.I. Challenge member John Cutler drove America True to a one minute six second victory over Stars and Stripes.
Stars and Stripes helmsman Ken Read explained the Nov.15 loss to the America True syndicate succinctly. "We wanted the right; we won the right on the starting line; we took the right and we were wrong!"
Team Dennis Conner was wrong by 58 seconds at the first weather mark. "From that point on America True protected their lead flawlessly and picked up the win they deserved," Read added.
This defeat broke a string of four wins by Team Dennis Conner and started a run of three wins for the San Francisco based America True team. The luck of the draw has America True facing opponents from the middle to bottom of the score sheet for the remainder of the second round robin.
If America True wins the one last tough race against the Nippon Challenge they will be in second place behind Italy. America True will pass rival San Francisco challenge America One thanks to America One's defeat by, guess who, Stars and Stripes!
Team Dennis Conner has apparently decided to bring a lion's share of excitement to the Louis Vuitton Cup. Several of the races sailed by Stars and Stripes have been called the best of series. The latest 'best' was their latest 'upset' of a top team, America One. If Stars and Stripes can pull off one more big win against Young America, they will have beaten all of the 'Big Three' pre race favorites.
Check the "When the Going Gets Rough" article for a blow by blow account of the Stars and Stripes / America One match.
