Mascalzone Latino Falls At Last Hurdle

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THE END OF A DREAM, “TIM MASCALZONE LATINO” FALLS AT LAST HURDLE

Auckland, 2nd November 2002 - For the sailing team of “TIM Mascalzone Latino” the America’s Cup dream is now over following a crushing defeat in the last match of the Louis Vuitton Cup against the French syndicate Le Defi Areva.

For the all-Italian team from the Island of Elba and headed by syndicate boss Vincenzo Onorato it was a case of Œso near yet so far.’ We gave everything today but the cruel fortune that has dogged us in the second round robin again struck.

Paolo Cian won the start quite brilliantly and the “TIM Mascalzone Latino” afterguard called for the port end of the line whereas the French held out to the committee boat end before tacking.

In a drag race out to the port layline, the French team steered by Luc Pillot enjoyed slightly better wind pressure on the right-hand side of the course and lifted into an early two boatlength advantage.

It was a telling lead and “TIM Mascalzone Latino” just could not close the gap despite showing outstanding crew-work all around the racecourse. The final winning margin was 1 minute and 10 seconds and “TIM Mascalzone Latino” graciously accepts defeat and wishes the French syndicate well as they proceed through to the quarter finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

For a first challenge “TIM Mascalzone Latino” acquitted itself well and remember that no first-time challenger has ever won the America’s Cup. Our learning curve has been steep and with maybe just a fraction better luck in some of our earlier races we may well have progressed further.

Mascalzone Latino and its team are racing with the TIM colours, the only mobile telephone company entirely Italian and sole sponsor for this all-Italian challenge.

Mascalzone Latino and its team can be visited at the internet site:

http://www.mascalzonelatino.it

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