On this day…

04 April

In 1995 Young America had qualified for the Final of the Defender Series, but a sail-off was needed to break a tie between Dennis Connor’s Stars and Stripes and Bill Koch’s (almost) all woman’s team on Mighty Mary. Unknown to the women onboard, Koch had done a secret backroom deal with Connor and John Marshall President of Young America in the early hours of the morning to have a three team Final series. The women sailed their hearts out and defeated Stars and Stripes by the biggest margin all season, 5 minutes and 43 seconds, only to be told of the deal when celebrating at the end of the race. No one could understand why Young America allowed a three way Final, and the decision resulted in their elimination during the Final. Stars and Stripes won the Final in the last race after Mighty Mary lost a huge lead by failing to cover in light conditions. All this was of little consequence as Stars and Stripes was comprehensively beaten 5-0 by Team New Zealand’s NZL32 Black Magic in the America’s Cup Match.

Also on this day in 1992, America³ helmsman Buddy Melges was replaced with Kimo Worthington, as America³ had not yet won a race in the Citizen Cup Defender Series Semi Final. It made no difference, however as America³ lost the race against Stars and Stripes by 1 minute and 53 seconds. Melges later regained his place to win the Defender Series and the America’s Cup with America³. © Hamish Ross 2007