Class Leaders Emerge:

New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex

NEWPORT, R.I. (July 20, 2002) -- Clearing skies and more wind brought smiles to the faces of 93 teams sailing in the one-design portion of the New York Yacht Club Race Week presented by Rolex. In a nice contrast to yesterday's thick fog and light wind, today's consistent 12- to 15-knot wind filled in early enough to run three races on two circles and four on a third. So far, a total of six races have been held for all 10 of the one-design classes sailing here -- Mumm 30, J/35, J/120, J/105, J/80 and Melges, Farr 40, J/44, 1D35 and Farr 395.

Foreign Affair, owned by Australian Richard Perini, is leading the Mumm 30 class and is one of the boats in contention for the North American championship trophy being awarded at the completion of Race Week. Perini has a score of 1-9-1-4-2-1 for a total of 17.25 points. Perini will have to fend off close competition from the current second-placed boat Team Intermec, owned by Dan Cheresh of Holland, Mich., which is one half point behind with 17.75 points, and Steadfast owned by Canadian Fred Sherratt, with 19.75 points.

"Any one of us can win this thing very easily," said Cheresh. "This is what you hope will happen, with all the boats so close in points that the title comes down to the last race. It'll be fun tomorrow." With one race to decide the winner, a good start is crucial, especially in this highly competitive class. Cheresh's strategy is to sail his own race, but he admits that he'll keep an eye on both Foreign Affair and Steadfast. "Being a half point down doesn't mean a thing," he said. "Winning tomorrow will happen by making good decisions and sailing steady."

One race is scheduled for tomorrow, the final day of racing, for a total of seven races per class. At the conclusion of racing, the awards ceremony will be held at Harbour Court, the New York Yacht Club's summer clubhouse. The best overall performing yacht will be awarded a Rolex timepiece.

The one-design portion of Race Week at Newport is serving as the Mumm 30 and J/44 North Americans, 1D 35 East Coast Regional Championship and the J/35 New England Championship. In a unique split format, Race Week accommodated nine classes of handicap-rated boats for four days of racing on the front end before switching into one-design mode.

For more information and full results, visit the NYYC web site