Young America Sailing Team Campaigns Falcon 2000

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME, April 24, 1997- Young America, the New York Yacht Club America's Cup Challenge, is campaigning Don Smith's ILC maxi Falcon2000 in a series of regattas kicking off with Antigua Sailing Week April 27-May 3.

Oklahoma City businessman and New York Yacht Club member Don Smith is skipper. Smith has contributed Falcon2000 to the NYYC/Young America campaign as part of the big boat training program for the America's Cup. Falcon2000, which had a major refit this winter, will be crewed by a world-class sailing team that includes Young America skipper Ed Baird as co-helmsman and Tony Rey as tactician. Rod Davis, the Falcon2000 campaign director, also will be in the afterguard.

"The Falcon2000 racing schedule complements our sailing team's participation in the two-boat testing program in Newport this summer as well as the world match racing circuit," said John Marshall, president of Young America, the
New York Yacht Club Challenge. "We will use the Falcon2000 program to scout for the best sailors to join the America's Cup sailing team and to develop the big boat team it will take to win. We are fortunate to have Falcon2000 as part of our sailing program."

Following is the Falcon2000 crew list: Don Smith, Skipper; Ed Baird, Co-Helmsman; Tony Rey, Tactician; Bruce Nelson, Navigator; Rod Davis, Runner; Mark Callehan, Runner; Marco Constant, Mainsheet Trimmer; Ross Halcrow,
Trimmer; Hartwell Jordan, Trimmer; Rock Ferrigno, Grinder/Mast; Matt Smith, Grinder/Sewer; Al Palwitiz, Grinder; Scott Holmgren, Grinder; Andy Turton, Grinder; Hal Sears, Grinder; George Jackson, Grinder; Jamie Gale, Pit; David Tank, Foredeck; and Jeff Brock, Bow.

Other regattas on the 1997 Falcon2000 schedule include:

• New York Yacht Club Spring Regatta, Newport, R.I., June 17-22

• Copa Del Rey Maxi Regatta, Palma Majorca, Spain, August 2-10

• Maxi World Championship, Sardinia, Italy, September 8-13