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26 August 2005, 10:43 am

Ian Williams (GBR) Takes An Early Lead

Knickerbocker Cup 2005

Port Washington, New York, USA

Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) and his crew of Mark WILLIAMS, Steve MITCHELL and Mark NICHOLLS came out on the top of the leader board at the end of the first day of racing yesterday at the 2005 Knickerbocker Cup.

Simon MINOPRIO, who was second in last year's Cup, came in second with 4 wins and 1 loss. After a good morning of racing in a 12-15 knot northwesterly, the wind died just as the second rotation of teams hopped on their J/105s, and the Race Committee was forced to cancel racing for the duration of the day.

With the Canadian team of Terry MCLAUGHLIN, Allan MEGARRY, Geoff MOORE, and Rossi MILEV, who won the Knickerbocker Cup in 2003 and 2004, sidelined due to lack of wind, it is difficult to predict how well the Canadians will fare this year.

Obviously, the Canadians are the team to beat. But that may prove difficult with the notoriously shifty winds on Manhasset Bay. According to Ian WILLIAMS, 'the winds were very tricky today. As the land heated up, there were some big holes in the breeze. The trick was to stay out of the holes.' After yesterday's performance, it appears that WILLIAMS and Company, who are racing in the Knickerbocker Cup for the first time, have pretty much figured out local wind conditions, and could very well be the spoiler for the Canadians attempt at a three-peat.

Standings as of Thursday, August 25, 2005:

Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) 5 wins, 0 losses

Simon MINOPRIO (NZL) 4 wins, 1 loss

Laurie JURY (NZL) 2 wins, 3 losses

Jon SINGSEN (USA) 2 wins, 3 losses

Scott DICKSON (USA) 1 win, 4 losses

Christian HAMILTON (GBR) 1 win, 4 losses