Day 1 Results - The Il Moro Trophy Regatta
America's Cup Class yacht racing on San Francisco Bay

San Francisco, CA, July 11, 2003 - A cool foggy summer day on San Francisco Bay kept the breeze within ideal limits of 15 –18 knots for a two race day on in Day 1 of the second annual Il Moro Trophy Regatta, organized by The Challenge Series and hosted by the Sausalito Yacht Club. At the end of Day 1, ORACLE BMW holds first place in the Grand Prix division, with NZL-20 taking first place in the vintage division of this pro-am match racing event.

With USA-49 (ex-America One) joining Larry Ellison’s ORACLE BMW Racing in the fleet’s Grand Prix division, six yachts jostled for position on the start line in a magnificent parade of sails.

As anticipated ORACLE BMW Racing, the “youngest” yacht in the fleet, maintained a convincing lead in both races. It’s been some time since USA-49, senior to USA-76 by about three years, has had her feet wet in racing conditions but Peter Stoneberg and crew enjoyed every minute. “She accelerates REALLY well,” commented helmsman Stoneberg who usually drives ITA-1 in the Challenge Series events.

NZL-20 maintained a solid lead over the vintage fleet in both races. NZL-14 and ITA-1 enjoyed some close sailing in Race 2. First-timers to the Challenge Series, Dick Watts and Tom Thayer, teamed up to share the helm on ITA-1 and had a blast. “It was very, very fun,” said Watts, co-partner with Thayer in a Farr 40. “The difference between this and the Farr is that when something goes wrong, it feels huge with 25 tons underneath!”

Other than a few spinnaker blow-outs, no mishaps were reported, the fog burned off and the crews were back at the Sausalito Yacht Club enjoying a few brews on the deck by mid afternoon

Two races are scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday July 26. Scheduled start-time 10:00 am, weather permitting.

Race 1 – Start 1025 hours

Grand Prix Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st USA-76 01:23:46 Oracle BMW Racing (Larry Ellison)
2nd USA-49 01:27:46 Peter Stoneberg

Vintage Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st NZL-20 01:32:08 Karie and David Thomson
2nd USA-11 01:32:33 Team Wells Fargo (John Sweeney and Tina Kleinjan)
3rd ITA-1 01:38:48 Team Paul & Shark (Tom Thayer and Dick Watts)
4th NZL-14 01:43:55 Team Archipel Wines (Mary Coleman)

Cumulative Point Standings

Grand Prix Division
USA-76 1
USA-49 2

Vintage Division
NZL-20 1
USA-11 2
ITA-1 3
NZL-14 4

Race 2 – Start 1225 hours

Grand Prix Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st USA-76 01:21:12 Oracle BMW Racing (Larry Ellison)
2nd USA-49 01:24:39 Peter Stoneberg

Vintage Division

Place Yacht Time Team
1st NZL-20 01:30:04 Karie and David Thomson
2nd USA-11 01:39:15 Team Wells Fargo (John Sweeney and Tina Kleinjan)
3rd ITA-1 01:40:54 Team Paul & Shark (Tom Thayer and Dick Watts)
4th NZL-14 01:41:18 Team Archipel Wines (Mary Coleman)

Cumulative Point Standings

Grand Prix Division
USA-76 2
USA-49 4

Vintage Division
NZL-20 2
USA-11 4
ITA-1 6
NZL-14 8

The Challenge Series is the only organized fleet for America's Cup yacht owners in the world. Four regattas each year showcase owner/driver fleet racing in San Francisco Bay on a spectator-friendly racecourse. The Challenge Series offers exciting racing with great social events and sponsor opportunities. The season will continue with the Golden Gate Cup September 5-8 (please note revised dates), and the Worlds October 11-19. All Challenge Series events are hosted by the Sausalito Yacht Club. For more information please visit www.challenge-series.com.