Sun Microsystems Australia Cup 2001 - Day Four

GILMOUR INTO FINALS, BRADY AND HOLMBERG ON MATCH POINT

Peter Gilmour and his Pizza La crew, who are sailing for the OneWorld America's Cup Challenge, are through to the final of the Sun Microsystems Australia Cup, and hoping to win the event for a record fifth time.

He claimed his place in the final by beating Ken Read, of Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes Challenge, 2 - 0 in the semi-finals.

The other semi-final remains in the balance overnight, with Gavin Brady of Italy's Prada Cup challenge, and Magnus Holmberg and his EnsoStora team, from Sweden's Victory Challenge, tied on one win each.

Peter Gilmour had earlier won the double round robin elimination series, only suffering one loss in twenty two starts, that loss being to Ken Read, but winning that series earned him the right to choose his semis opponent.

Gilmour said one of the most difficult decisions of the day was who to sail in the semis, "we are very, very respectful of Kenny Read in the light air conditions, and he showed it in the light air race we had against him.

"I was delighted the race committee didn't put pressure on me to make the decision until later in the piece, because as soon as the seabreeze kicked in it was a no-brainer."

In the other semi-final, both races were a battle all the way, with Brady the young aggressive skipper, pitting his ability against the more experienced and whylie Holmberg.

The young Kiwi-turned-Italian, took the first encounter by 20 seconds, with the Swedish team getting the better of the second skirmish.

The finals, which follow the completion of the semi-finals on Sunday, are a first-to-win-four race series.

Semi-finals:

Peter Gilmour (USA) bt Ken Read (USA) 2 - 0
Gavin Brady (ITA) and Magnus Holmberg (SWE) 1 - 1

Results: (Scores after two round robins)

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com Sun Microsystems Australia Cup Page
• Royal Perth Yacht Club