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7 September 2005, 09:42 am

HOLMBERG Keeps Up Alinghi's Winning Run At Match Race In Trieste

The Heat 2005

Trieste, Italy

Yesterday afternoon saw the start of the first ISAF Grade 2 The Heat qualifying flights in Trieste, Italy. Peter HOLMBERG (ISV) skippered the team of America's Cup Defenders and recent winners of Louis Vuitton Acts 6 & 7, Alinghi (SUI) to two victories in the opening matches.

The Heat is an America's Cup Teams match race regatta, and will be raced in Trieste until Sunday 11 September.

First in the water yesterday were the Alinghi team, captained by HOLMBERG against Italy's Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team with Jes GRAM-HANSEN (DEN) at the helm. The Swiss won a very hard fought match which illustrated the improvements made by the Italians.

The second match saw another of the home Italian teams, +39 Challenge, led by Star European Champion Iain PERCY (GBR), again lose out to Alinghi in an impressive display by the Swiss team.

Today the first match sees the first of the all Italian battles as +39 Challenge take on Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team. Then Chris LAW (GBR) and Team Shosholoza (RSA) and James SPITHILL (AUS) and the first of two Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) teams go head to head in their first match, before the second Luna Rossa team, led by Francesco DE ANGELIS (ITA), make their debut, again facing off against LAW.

The Heat Entrants
(America's Cup team - ISAF World Match Race Ranking)

James SPITHILL (AUS), Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) - 5
Jes GRAM-HANSEN (DEN), Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team (ITA) - 23
Peter HOLMBERG (ISV), Alinghi (SUI) - 35
Chris LAW (GBR), Team Shosholoza (RSA) - 111
Iain PERCY (GBR), +39 Challenge (ITA) - 117
Francesco DE ANGELIS (ITA), Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) - 714