Day Four Of Sardinia Rolex Cup Sees Heavy Winds Of 25 To 34 Knots For 26 Mile Distance Race; Boat Speeds Reach Between 16 To 18 Knots

USA is Leading with Firsts today in Farr 40, Swan 45 and IMS Classes; Spain drops to Second; Switzerland is Third while Italy Red Secures Fourth

PORTO CERVO, Italy (June 24, 2004) - With heavy westerly winds between 25 to 34 knots, the fleet of seven teams competing in the Sardinia Rolex Cup, hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, re-sailed the 26 mile distance race that was abandoned in yesterday's light air. In today's hard fought race, teamwork was critical as crews fought to keep control of the boats that reached speeds as high as 18 knots. The United States team claimed first with 31 points while Spain dropped to second with 34 points. Switzerland is third with 44 points while Italy Red secured fourth with 48 points.

All three U.S. team boats finished well today with Bambakou, Mascalzone Latino and Talisman taking first in the Farr 40, Swan 45 and IMS rated classes respectively.

"It was a spectacular day of racing," said Terry Hutchinson, skipper of the Talisman. "We burned through 3 spinnaker sheets, yet with phenomenal crew work, we were able to have a solid race with a strong finish. It was a great day for the U.S. team."

"During the first beat, we had a port starboard encounter with Bambakou," said Pablo Iglesias, tactician on Bribon Telefonica MoviStar. "Our penalty turn put us behind the rest of the fleet. Combined with a spinnaker sheet the popped off, we could not make up the time. However, the rest of our team did well, taking two second places."

X-Prozac ripped the leech on its main sail prior to the beginning of the race, asked for and was granted a 15-minute postponement. Unable to repair the sail prior to the start, she sailed around the entire course with the damaged sail.

"It was a great day of sailing with many challenges," noted Gabriele Benussi, skipper of X-Prozac. "Not having a main that was one hundred percent certainly didn't help, however, we were able to come in second due to excellent teamwork."