Intrepid wins the first day

The Americans display their talent in the 12 metre class

Today was the first full day of racing for the 36 strong 12 metre class in the America's Cup Jubilee Regatta. Each 12 metre has its own story to tell but the sight of all these 12s on one start line is history in the making all on its own.

The winning boat today was Jack Curtin's Intrepid which successfully won the Cup twice once in 1967 and then again 1970 steered by the legendary Bill Ficker who is in Cowes this week.

Jack Curtin is a successful investment banker from New York and lives in that home of the America's Cup, Newport, Rhode Island. He used to sail as a child in Bay Head, New Jersey but it was not a keen interest. When he went to college he became very good friends with Reggie Pierce who was his room mate at the time. A talented yachtsman, Reggie was one of the winning crew on the 1974 defender Courageous the winner in 1974 and 1977. Reggie regenerated Jack's interest in sailing.

!n 1994 Jack and Reggie used to organize informal racing events with friends and would charter 12 metre yachts like American Eagle from 1964. Intrepid became available to buy in 1996 and by this time Jack's keeness for 12 metres was so great that he bought her.