SEA CLIFF, N.Y. (April 30, 2003)–The Trustees for the International Catamaran
Challenge Trophy (ICCT) announced today that the 2001, 2002, & 2003 Alter
Cup champion, Matt Struble, and his crew in the 2003 event, W.F. Oliver, will
compete for one of the 10 U.S. defender spots for the ICCT this September in
Newport, RI. From Italy, two-time A-Class World Champion Egidio Babbi with crew
Daniele Saragoni have posted a bid to secure the opportunity to challenge for
the trophy.
U.S. defense contenders have a history of winning
Struble and Oliver, no strangers to winning, are the current European Champions
in F-18HTs – the class to be used in the 2003 ICCT. Struble also is
a three time performance catamaran champion in the Inter 20 and 5.5 Uni and
a past winner of the Worrell 1000. Oliver, meanwhile, is the current F-18HT
North American Champion. Both hope their experience will lead them to defend
and ultimately win the 2003 ICCT.
Italian A-Class veteran begins training program
Babbi and Saragoni have put together a training program at the Circolo Vela
Cesenatico in Italy where the sailing conditions are similar to Newport’s.
Babbi said, “We are looking forward to racing for the Little America’s
Cup and competing in an event that includes prospective defenders such as
teams led by Randy Smyth and Matt Struble. We will be training hard over
the next several months in an effort to secure the challenger spot.”
Bimare offers F-18HTs to teams for European Championships.
Because of the unprecedented interest in the ICCT, the Italian manufacturer
of the F-18HT and supplier to the 2003 ICCT, Bimare, is offering ICCT teams
the free use of F-18HTs for the upcoming European Championships scheduled for
the end of June in Rimini, Italy. Bimare President Mr. Petrucci said, “Bimare
and the class have been contacted by 14 non-U.S. teams planning on forming
challenges for the Little America’s Cup. The teams, particularly the Tornado
teams coming from the ISAF event in Cadiz, Spain directly before the Little
America’s Cup, are very excited about having a major event to sail in as a
means of becoming familiar with the F-18HT." More information is available
at www.f18htclass.com.
The International Catamaran Challenge Trophy was created in 1961 to promote
friendly international match racing catamaran competition. Up to 10 defenders
(U.S.) and 10 challengers (non-U.S.) will be selected from the entries. The
dates are September 28th-October 3, 2003 at the Sail Newport Sailing Center
in Newport, R.I. The entry deadline is June 1st, 2003. For entry information
and complete ICCT details go to www.icct2003.org or www.littleamericascup2003.org
.
Contacts: Barby MacGowan, Media Pro Int’l, +1 401-849-0220
Bryan Dougherty, Sea Cliff Yacht Club, +1 516-908-7880
E-Mail: in**@******03.org
Web Site: www.icct2003.org or www.littleamericascup2003.org
F-18HT Hotline: ic**@********ss.com