Torresen Sailing News 3/13/97

The Torresen Sailing News

March 13, 1997

NYYC/YOUNG AMERICA CHALLENGE BUYS NZL-39

Purchase of 1995 IACC Yacht Provides Major Step Forward with Two Boats for Summer Training and Testing Program in Newport SOUTH PORTLAND, ME, March 13, 1997 - The New York Yacht Club/Young America Challenge for the America's Cup today announced a major step forward with the purchase of NZL-39, the former TAG Heuer, from Dickson Yachting Limited, providing the Young America sailing and design teams with a two-boat training and testing program to begin this May in Newport.

In making the announcement, NYYC/Young America Challenge President John Marshall said, "The purchase of one of the fastest 1995 IACC boats is a significant boost to our testing program. With Young America, USA-36, the fastest IACC yacht in the 1995 U.S. Defender trials, and the Bruce Farr-designed NZL-39, we now have valuable benchmarks for both the sailing and design teams to make advances in their development programs."

NYYC/Young America principal designer is Bruce Farr and Associates. "Farr knows the design of the boat and its tank testing data intimately, providing a solid advantage," Marshall said. TAG was one of the top-placing boats in the 1995 Challenger Selection Series.

"Two boat testing is essential in developing optimum performance," Marshall said. "Even in a world of computer simulation, real world, full-scale testing is critical. In fact, Young America is now the only U.S. team with this capability. Only one other team in the world has two boats on the water - Team New Zealand."

"Young America is the only U.S. boat which has raced against Black Magic, giving us a yardstick to measure our performance against Team New Zealand," Marshall said. TAG sailed against Team New Zealand throughout the 1995 Challenger Selection Series, providing another invaluable standard of performance. We also know that TAG has tremendous untapped potential."

NZL-39 was sold to the NYYC/Young America Challenge for an undisclosed amount. The sale includes the complete boat, two rigs and an extensive inventory of sails and equipment. NZL-39 arrives in the U.S. in early April and will begin sailing in early May.

Young America, the New York Yacht Club's Challenge for the America's Cup, is dedicated to winning the America's Cup through technological innovation, teamwork and a total commitment to success. Its effort will represent the entire country through an alliance of distinguished Partner Yacht Clubs and by enhancing the scientific literacy of America's K-12 students with the innovative Young America National Education Program.