SF Chronicle: the "Elite Eight" Oct 28, 16:15
From this morning's San Francisco Chronicle:
Elite eight sail in Allianz Cup today
- Jim Doyle
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Eight pro skippers made it to the quarterfinals of the Allianz Cup on Friday, after sailing the regatta's preliminary rounds in light winds on San Francisco Bay. The eight face off today in a series of best-of-five match races.
The quarterfinal pairings are Ian Williams of Great Britain vs. Peter Gilmour of Australia; Ben Ainslie of Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Paolo Cian of Team Shosholoza; Peter Holmberg of the Alinghi team vs. Jesper Bank of United Internet Team Germany; Chris Dickson of the BMW Oracle syndicate vs. Ed Baird of Alinghi.
The touring pros are competing for a $100,000 purse in J/105s, a 35-footer. Each one-design boat has a five-man crew. Each race lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.
Earlier in the day, the 16 teams -- which included eight America's Cup skippers -- finished their preliminary rounds. Billionaire Larry Ellison snagged two wins in the round robin, but was eliminated from the event with a 2-5 record.
The regatta, which runs through Sunday, is being sailed off the Marina Green and Crissy Field. Winds permitting, races will begin as early as 10 a.m.
Elite eight sail in Allianz Cup today
- Jim Doyle
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Eight pro skippers made it to the quarterfinals of the Allianz Cup on Friday, after sailing the regatta's preliminary rounds in light winds on San Francisco Bay. The eight face off today in a series of best-of-five match races.
The quarterfinal pairings are Ian Williams of Great Britain vs. Peter Gilmour of Australia; Ben Ainslie of Emirates Team New Zealand vs. Paolo Cian of Team Shosholoza; Peter Holmberg of the Alinghi team vs. Jesper Bank of United Internet Team Germany; Chris Dickson of the BMW Oracle syndicate vs. Ed Baird of Alinghi.
The touring pros are competing for a $100,000 purse in J/105s, a 35-footer. Each one-design boat has a five-man crew. Each race lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.
Earlier in the day, the 16 teams -- which included eight America's Cup skippers -- finished their preliminary rounds. Billionaire Larry Ellison snagged two wins in the round robin, but was eliminated from the event with a 2-5 record.
The regatta, which runs through Sunday, is being sailed off the Marina Green and Crissy Field. Winds permitting, races will begin as early as 10 a.m.
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Larry Ellison, with the red Oracle-branded kite, leads Brian Angel to the finish line of their match in Flight 7 for his second win in the Allianz Cup. (Allianz Cup/Bob Grieser photo)
Allianz Cup | by TFE
