NEWPORT, R.I. (July 25, 2003) -- The International Catamaran Challenge Trophy’s (ICCT) heat got turned up another notch when U.S. Olympic Tornado sailor and five-time Tornado National Champion John Lovell of New Orleans showed up earlier this month to compete in the F-18HT class at Sail Newport’s 2003 Newport (RI) Regatta presented by Volkswagen. While in the City-By-the-Sea, Lovell confirmed his plans to return to Newport this September 28-October 3 to sail the fast, high-tech F-18HT catamarans again—in the much anticipated ICCT, better known as "The Little America’s Cup." He also proved he would be a serious threat by showing how unstoppable he was in a boat he’d never tried before.In the Newport Regatta’s seven-race F-18HT series, Lovell outsailed 10 other teams, including one skippered by Olympic Medallist and multiple-time World, North American and National Tornado Champion Randy Smyth of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., considered one of the ICCT’s most formidable contenders.

<a href"http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album33&id=ICCT_Lovell_Closeup_72_dpi&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php">"I had a blast," said Lovell, explaining that he learned a lot in a short time on a borrowed boat. "Randy and I both had an edge on the fleet and traded off first- and second-place finishes. If he had won the last race, he would have won on a tie-breaker. Instead, I won the race and so the regatta by two points."

Smyth said the competition served up some "nice surprises on the water." With the Little America’s Cup designed to be a match racing competition, Smyth and Lovell put into play the pre-start maneuvers and typical one-on-one moves that make the America’s Cup itself so intriguing. "There are some interesting quirks when you’re match racing catamarans," said Smyth, noting that mutihull sailboats are much faster and feistier than monohulls but don’t turn as quickly. "It’s like sailing a big dinghy with two hulls," he added. "We even flipped a few times."

Lovell’s analysis was a bit more technical: "These cats have no jib, so the match racing judges are going to have a tough time determining when a boat has gone past head-to-wind. That’s important in things like the dial-up."

As for match racing experience, Lovell--a past Prince of Wales Match Racing champion and recent competitor in several other match racing events—might have an advantage, but according to Smyth, "sailing the ICCT in F-18HTs is a great equalizer."

"Johnny has the most match racing rules knowledge, which will be beneficial," said Smyth, "but there is no one signed up who really specializes in both catamaran sailing and match racing. It will be a real challenge."

Smyth sailed with W. F. Oliver of Virginia Beach, Va., who is slated to crew in the ICCT for Matt Struble of Bay City, Mich. Struble is a three-time Alter Cup champion and, with Oliver, the current F-18HT European Champion. Oliver is the current F-18HT North American Champion. Lovell sailed with crew Howard Cromwell of New Orleans but in September plans to team with Charlie Ogletree of Kemah, Texas, his crew for the last two Olympics and for his 2004 campaign.

The International Catamaran Challenge Trophy was donated by Deed of Gift in 1961 by the Sea Cliff Yacht Club, Sea Cliff, New York, to promote friendly international catamaran match-racing competition between nations. This September’s ICCT will be the 23rd competition for the Trophy and the first sailed in the F-18HT catamaran. The first 22 matches were sailed in "C" Class catamarans and more than seven years have elapsed since the last match.

"The C Class cats became the ultimate boat but also had the ultimate price tag to build and campaign," said Smyth, a veteran of several ambitious Worrell 1000 campaigns. "Sailing in the F-18HTs will put the fun back into the event and opens it up to a lot more people."

A new format involves a maximum of 10 foreign "challenger" teams from outside the United States and 10 "defender" teams sponsored by yacht clubs in the United States. The two groups will sail a series of match-racing round robins to determine the final challenger and defender for the Trophy. Among the challenger skippers are Italy’s Alberto Sonino, Paolo Bassini and Egidio Babbi, formidable sailors who have both Lovell’s and Smyth’s respect. The defender pool, however, is the first concern for these two champions. "Lovell will be one of the top players," said Smyth as Lovell shared his own perspective: "Smyth will definitely be one to watch."

One thing is certain. The story begun at the Newport Regatta still has an ending to be written in September.

For entry information and complete ICCT details go to www.icct2003.org or www.littleamericascup2003.org.