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USA skipper Ed Baird today won the first edition of the Toscana Elba Cup Trofeo Locman, an ISAF Grade 2 match race event held in Portoferraio, Elba Island, Tuscany Italy.

Baird (Team Musto) defeated in the final the French skipper Phillipe Presti (Le Defi Areva) with 3 races to none. The first two matches of the final were a foregone conclusion with Baird winning the start and holding his position until the finish line. However, the last race saw a bit more excitement, with Presti winning the start and leading for the first beat and run. However on the second beat, Baird took a good wind shift to move into the lead, which he held through the run to take the line by 10 seconds and win the decisive point, and the prize money of EUR90.000. Finishing second overall Phillipe Presti took EUR70.000, with Chris Law taking EUR46.500 in third place.

Today was a perfect sailing day, with sun and good wind. The Italian tv network RAI provided live coverage for two hours, with fantastic hospitality enjoyed by the general public at the Hospitality Village. This evening, after the skippers' press conference there was the pricegiving, with dinner, music, authorities and special guests.

Following the success of this first event, the organisers have decided to continue in 2003. All skippers at the 2002 event have confirmed their presence in 2003, and the organisers hope to also involve many syndicates from the next LVC-AC races in Auckland.

FINAL
Baird d. Presti 3-0

ROUND ROBIN 3rd PLACE
Beadsworth d. Cian
Law d. Cian
Law d. Beadsworth
Beadsworth d. Cian
Law d. Cian
Law d. Beadsworth