San Francisco's America True Names Their
"MINI" America's Cup Crew

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND: A full team of 14 experienced men and women sailors have arrived in Auckland to take on the world's finest yachtsmen at the Road to America's Cup 2000, hosted by Team New Zealand, April 1-6, 1997. America True's "mini" cup team is a talented and experienced group, mixing veteran America's Cup sailors with rising stars. In addition to CEO Dawn Riley, the America True "mini" cup team includes:

. Merritt Carey America's Cup and Whitbread veteran
. Mike Herlihy America's Cup veteran
. Katie Pettibone America's Cup veteran
. Rock Ferrigno America's Cup veteran
. Paul Larkin America's Cup veteran
. Greg Burrell Experienced Offshore sailor
. Jeff Saplis Experienced Offshore sailor
. Bill Jenkins Admiral's Cup veteran
. Jeff Madrigali 1996 Olympic Bronze Medalist
. Rod Davis America's Cup and Whitbread veteran
. Leslie Egnot America's Cup veteran, Silver Olympic medalist
. Dawn Riley America's Cup and Whitbread veteran
. Buddy Melges, COACH 1992 America s Cup winning skipper

Coach Buddy Melges noted, "In 1994, I came to Auckland with America3 and sailed against Russell Coutts on these very same boats, and we were the only team to win. We look forward to repeating that same success. I'm sure that with Rod Davis on board, we'll be a formidable contender."

The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting event and was first sailed in 1851. American teams have only lost The Cup twice, first in 1983 to Australia and again in 1995 to New Zealand.

America True is the first truly co-ed challenge for the America's Cup, and is led by the first woman CEO in America's Cup history, Dawn Riley. In partnership with the San Francisco Yacht Club, America True is devoted to making the America's Cup more accessible to all, and will endeavor to win the America's Cup by combining the best talent, skill and experience available.