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One Ton Cup 2001 preview : 11 wins all
Added: (Tue Aug 28 2001)
Created in 1899 by the Cercle de la Voile de Paris, the One Ton Cup is the oldest and the most prestigious French trophy in yachting sport. Although Sweden leads the score with 13 victories, the One Ton Cup is initially a matter of rivalry between British and French yachtsmen. The next act is to be played in Wales in the beginning of September.
Since Cavale Bleue won last year in Marseilles, British and French are equal : eleven all. With half the fleet expected in a fortnight for 79th One Ton Cup, British sailors certainly regard the fact to “play at home” as an opportunity to take the advantage again. Moreover, the cup is staying out of their reach since Jade‘s victory in 1985 in Poole, England.
Five British IC45 are expected : Babbalaas, Bounder, Indulgence, Hawk and Full Monty. Some owners shall be themselves at the helm, like Nigel Bramwell on Hawk. Some others especially hired the Kingdom’s pride. Like Ben Ainslie, Laser Olympic Champion in Sydney and recruited by Oracle Racing for the America’s Cup 2003, who shall steer Babbalaas for David McLean. Robert Condon has entrusted the helm of Indulgence to Adrian Stead, Farr 40 World Champion in 1998, winner of the Tour de France à la Voile in 2000 and member of the British Challenge for America’s Cup 2003.
On the French side, chances will rely on Faster K-Yote I. Her owner, Ortwin Kandler, has taken on an all-American and… all-women team. Skipper Dawn Riley has got an impressive experience, even compared to her male opponents : three America’s Cups, two Whitbreads, winner of the America’s Cup in 1992 (America3), skipper of an all-women team in both America’s Cup (America3 in 1995) and Whitbread (Maiden in 1989-90), first woman to head a syndicate in the America’s Cup in 2000 (America True). This crew shall create a sensation, especially if being the first all-female team to ever win the One Ton Cup. Actually, the one which competed the One Ton Cup in 1985 and 1986 on board Rodeo did not stand out, whereas the only woman to have ever won the cup – Virginie Hériot in 1927 on Petite Aile II – used to have a male crew.
However, the One Ton Cup 2001 shall not come down to an Anglo-French duel. Greek IC45 Atalanti X is not looked on as an outsider, but as a favourite. Her New Zealand skipper Gavin Brady was the tactician of Black Magic, winner of the America’s Cup in 1995. Star World Vice-Champion as well, he is one of the five best skippers in the world at the moment. Danger could also come from German IC45 Faster K-Yote II, likely to lay out a potentially fearsome French team. 1999 and 2000 victories were the work of French crews. Investor (Sweden) and La Casera (Spain) make up the provisional list of entries in a regatta of which competitors rarely do walk-on parts : since 1999 is the One Ton Cup winner also IC45 World Champion.
Further information : www.onetoncup.com
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