Admirals Cup: Netherlands Wins

The Champagne Mumm Admirals Cup has been won
by the team representing the Netherlands.  Going
into the Wolf Rock Race the Netherlands and Great
Britain were tied.  The Netherlands sailed a strong
race.  Their Mumm 36 was 1st , their Sydney 40 2nd
and their IMS big boat was 2nd across the line.  For
home standing Great Britain the final race brought
a distatorous 9th in the Sydney 40 a 2nd  in the Mumm
36 class and 3rd over the line in the big boat fleet.

No doubt Great Britains defeat had an effect on the
participants.  Chris Law skipper of Great Britain's
Sydney 40 said after finishing "'I am hanging up my oilskins'
he said. 'I am 47 years of age, and it is time to move over to
let the next generation through.'   Law took a flyer in the
last race and ended up last.

The USA failed in efforts to win consecutive Cups.   The USA
looked good early in this last race, but ended up with a
5th in the Mumm 36's and a 4th in the Sydney 40's.  The teams
IMS entry crossed the line 1st, but it's uncertain if she
saved her time on the rest of the fleet.

After the race's finish Bob Towse owner of the USA's Sydney
40 Blue Yankee Pride announced his retirement from
Admirals Cup sailing.  Towse produced a quote that summed
up how tough racing at this level is: "'I spent 27 hours on the rail
before I got any sleep - that's the way it should be when you're doing
your last Admiral's Cup."

In two years time will be the first Admirals Cup of the new
millennium.  It will be interesting to see what boats sail and on what
type of courses.

For more see:  http://mummadmiralscup.org/