America3 Wins

The all-women’s team America3 held off a late comeback by race favorite Young America and emerged from a thick fog to win its second America’s Cup race.

America3, with Leslie Egnot at the helm, took advantage of poor sail handling by the male team and crossed the finish line 14 seconds ahead of Young America. It was the first victory by the women’s team over Young America.

The outcome lifts the women to a second-place tie with Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes after the first day of the second round of Citizen Cup defender trials. Young America is in first place.

Racing began in ideal conditions with a 10 knot breeze and slight swell. Young America had the women in trouble at the start and sailed away with a 27-second lead as the gun fired.

But Young America lost its edge when skipper Kevin Mahaney steered the boat to the right side of the course. America3 went left into a wind change that lifted the boat to a 40-second lead at the first mark.

In a freshening breeze downwind, Young America closed the gap to less than a boat length. But poor sail handling at the second mark scuttled the impressive comeback.