The first two races of the Louis Vuitton elimination for the America's Cup have seen Team Dennis Conner win two straight.
In their first race against Team Nippon, a slight advantage at the start was enough for Stars and Stripes to gain and defend a lead for the remainder of the race.
Virgin Islander Peter Holmberg is in the 'brain trust' after-guard of Stars and Stripes.
The second day of racing featured Starts and Stripes against early favorite Prada, sailed by the Italian Team. Although the semifinals were expected to see lighter winds, Monday's races featured winds of 18 to 20 knots, with gusts to 25.
An even start was followed by very close racing, with Stars and Stripes slowly extending small gains made by favored wind shifts and better crew work at mark roundings. This was vital as other races on Monday saw several gear failures and botched spinnaker raises or take downs. There was a 1:06 minute lead across the finish line.
This puts Team Dennis Conner in the lead after two of ten races.
