Race five action in New Zealand had both the "Virgin Islands" boats winning and headed to a showdown in race seven.
In another exciting race Stars and Stripes defeated the Nippon Challenge by 1:07. The race was very close, Team Dennis Conner leading at the first windward rounding by less than three feet. Japan pulled ahead at the leeward mark, but Team DC regained the lead on the next beat.
Japan had been assessed a penalty on the run and, unable to force a penalty on Stars and Stripes, did their turn before the finish to enlarge the final margin.
America True won its race against Abracadabra. John Cutler, driving America True, won a closely contested pre-start battle with John Kolius. America True was leading at the first windward mark when the mainsail of Abracadabra split fore and aft near the top batten pocket.
Kolius continued to race hoping for a breakdown aboard America True, but retired when the competitor finished.
The win by Team Dennis Conner combined with the losses by Nippon and Abracadabra moves Team DC up to fifth place right behind America True. The win is also a positive boat speed indicator, as the Japanese team has been showing very good speed against the acknowledged top players.
Stars and Stripes faces the low ranking Swiss next while America True races against Italy, the top team.
The match between Team DC and America True will have a very Virgin Island's flavor. Peter Holmberg and frequent visitor Chuck Brown (his mother Phyllis lives on the East End) will face former V. I. Challenge members John Cutler, Ben Beer, and Steve Gruver in a race to decide 'best of the rest' behind Italy, America One, and Young America.
