Oracle wins vintage America's Cup race

CEO Larry Ellison, known for being at the helm of Oracle, donned his captain's hat to drive USA 49 over Memorial Day weekend. The vintage America's Cup yacht competed against four other yachts in the first Sausalito Cup on May 24-26, 2002. The 26-knot gusty winds, foggy weather and frigid temperatures, although not the most pleasant conditions, were probably a welcomed distraction for Ellison, whose company is facing contract controversy with the State of California.

The crew of USA 49 sailed to victory in this three-day event and was awarded with the perpetual sparkling silver trophy, which will be engraved and housed at the Sausalito Yacht Club.

Ellison, an avid sailor, purchased USA 49, which was the former AmericaOne yacht that raced in the 2000 America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition to competing in the Sausalito, the yacht is also being used by Ellison's Oracle Racing team to train for the 2003 America's Cup. John Sweeney, an Oracle Racing crew member, is the co-founder of America's Cup Media, which manages the International America's Cup Class (IACC) fleet. He said he is thrilled that Ellison and his team participated in the historical regatta.

"It demonstrates the growing support for IACC and big boat racing in the U.S.," Sweeney said. "This is the first time an IACC fleet of this size has raced together on San Francisco Bay, and it's significant to have such a high caliber of sailing professionals racing here."

Sweeney, who owns and captains Stars and Stripes--formerly the possession of sailing legend Dennis Conner, said that his interest in restoring and preserving vintage America's Cup yachts led him to create the fleet with his partner Tina Kleinjan.

"There are over 75 International America's Cup yachts and nothing to do with them," said Sweeney with sunburned cheeks from hours of sailing on the bay. "Most of them don't sail again. Stars and Stripes was just sitting in storage in St. Thomas."

The 75-foot yachts drew the attention of spectators as they sliced through the water of the San Francisco Bay. The colorful fleet could be seen from several vantage points around the bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sausalito waterfront, the San Francisco shoreline, and Angel Island.

The IACC fleet will compete in four regattas per year. The next one will be the America's Cup Media Trophy, which will take place on July 27-28, 2002. For more information, visit the America's Cup Media Web site: http://www.iaccsf.com.

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