Spitthill steers One World to victory over Swiss

by Fiona McIlroy on 4 Oct 2002 Coutts trails behind
Alinghi helmsman Russell Coutts found himself in the unfamiliar position of having to chase a boat around the Hauraki Gulf on Friday, as Seattle syndicate OneWorld crossed the line 10 seconds ahead of the Swiss.

OneWorld then covered SUI64 closely up the first beat, not allowing the Swiss syndicate to get any clear air.

Midway through the race Coutts and his crew started to attack aggressively downwind, forcing the Americans to reach down to the mark, and closing the gap at the fourth buoy to just 10 seconds.

In a neck and neck drag race down to the finish Peter Gilmour's crew managed to hold off the strong Alinghi charge and take the much needed win.

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