NATION’S CUP 2003
ALINGHI AND ONE WORLD LEADERS OF THE NATION’S CUP
MASCALZONE LATINO BEATS TEAM ALINGHI

Trieste 17 June 2003

In the second day of racing at the fourth edition of the Nation’s Cup 2003, the Swiss team of Alinghi, actual holder of the America’s Cup, and the American’s of OneWorld are in the lead.

Today four races have been sailed in the waters off the coast of Trieste, Italy and two races were cancelled by the International Jury, headed by Luciano Giacomi; all races were sailed with very fair winds of only 5-7 knots.

The first teams to race were the English GBR Challenge and the American’s of OneWorld. Almost since the beginning the British were trailing and could not catch up to the American team driven by James Spithill.

The second race of today was between the Swedes of Victory Challenge (Holmberg) and the American team Oracle (Chieffi). The Swedish team was basically leading the entire race, but due to a problem while reaching a sandbank, Holmberg’s team got stuck and thus the race was annulled by the race committee.

point was awarded to the British GBR Challenge when they won against the local talent, Vasco Vascotto on board of Mascalzone Latino. After a great start from the Italian team, a wind shift caused them to lose their advantage and thus it cost them the race as well with a disadvantage of 15 seconds.

An unlucky day for Tommaso Chieffi on board of Oracle, who also had to see the second race suspension for the day, while in the lead against OneWorld. In this case the Americans ended up in the same sandbank, not being able to finish the race.

The Swiss Alinghi, easily beat GBR Challenge in their first race of the day, with a lead of 44 seconds, also thanks to an impeccable start.

An Italian duel in the waters in the late afternoon with the Italian skipper Chieffi against Vascotto led to the first victory of Mascalzone Latino. First it was a penalty for Chieffi, then for Vascotto, and after a tough duel, the Trieste skipper was able to take advantage of a wind shift and bring home his first point.

Not only did Vascotto win the race against the American team, but he managed to pull off another win against Alinghi, only team to beat the Swiss. The race started late this afternoon and was spectacular to see, finally being able to race with a nice wind of about 15 knots.

The overall results sees both Alinghi and OneWorld leading the Nation’s Cup:

Points 2: Alinghi, OneWorld, Mascalzone Latino

Points 1: Victory Challenge, GBR Challenge, Oracle Racing

Tutta Trieste!, official organizer of this event, wishes to thank:

The Yacht Club Adriaco, the local Port Authority, Camera di Commercio, the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Province and City of Trieste, the sponsors Generali Insurance, TNT, Heineken, Radio Montecarlo, Harken Wear, Mittel Moda, Fondazione Cassa Risparmio Trieste and Trieste Expo 2008.