The territory will again have a representative in the world's premier sailing event as V.I. professional sailor Peter Holmberg has joined software billionaire Larry Ellison's Oracle Racing team for the next America's Cup.
Holmberg won an Olympic silver metal in 1988 sailing for the Virgin Islands and is the second highest ranked American in the International Sailing Federation's Match Racing ranking. He sailed in the America's Cup 2000 as a member of Team Dennis Conner after his Virgin Islands Cup Challenge fell short of fielding an entry. Dennis Conner is the only man to both win and lose the America's Cup twice.
Holmberg explains, "It was a tough decision not to go back with Dennis Conner because they did treat me well and are a great group to work with. But the next Cup is going to be a more intense event than the last one, with a lot more fully prepared teams, and it will take a fully developed package to win. Oracle has an 80 million dollar budget, the Bruce Farr design office, a great group of sailors, and a belief that the best sailing team will ultimately win the Cup. I decided it was the better program for me."
Ellison's usual sailing program involves racing his maxi yacht Sayonara at events around the world including winning the 2000 Antigua Sailing Week. Top sailor Chris Dickson is already Ellison's skipper for Sayonara.
Ellison purchased the two America's Cup boats of Aloha racing, before striking a deal with Paul Cayard and the AmericaOne team. Cayard and AmericaOne fell just one race short of challenging for the America's Cup. Ellison's deal with Cayard included the team's boats, the existing shore base in New Zealand and contracts with Cayard and some of the AmericaOne management personnel. According to a story in Quokka Sports, keeping the momentum of the AmericaOne effort going was a key part of the decision by Ellison. Although Cayard was the skipper during the AmericaOne challenge, the contract with Cayard labels his position as Campaign Manager. Contracts with former America True helmsman John Cutler as Sailing Team Manager and Tomasso Chieffi, Italian helmsman and America's Cup tactician were in place before signing Holmberg.
The addition of Holmberg to the team gives Oracle Racing three experienced America's Cup helmsmen and two Cup tacticians, enough talent to fill the 'back of the boat' positions on two creditable America's Cup campaigns. When asked how this would work out Holmberg explained, "Chris Dickson is the skipper of the team. Cutler, Cayard, Cheiffi, and I are after guard and alternate drivers. The heart of the campaign is to do lots of sailing, so all of us will take turns driving the B boat and doing tactics. This will keep the training fresh and help learn various styles. In the end we'll see what the best combination on board is and take that team to the Cup."
With all the pieces and people in place, Oracle is already practicing in New Zealand as Holmberg reports, "I signed my deal in late October and had two weeks to pack up in time to start the first training sessions. The Oracle campaign is focused on lots of training, the plan is to train here for the New Zealand summer (November to February), then ship everything to Long Beach, Calif. and train there in their consistent good winds (April-September), then ship back here for summer, and maybe stay for that final year and train here through the winter."
Holmberg arrived in time to be out practicing November 22, when the keel snapped off of USA 61 being helmed by Dickson. Holmberg said, "It was absolutely wild. Probably a once in a lifetime sight . . . looking over and seeing an 80-foot yacht just slowly capsizing onto its side, and then laying there with crew scampering to get on the top of the hull. We were sailing along, 20-25 knot winds and big seas, rough stuff in these boats. Great testing day so we had wandered offshore 20 miles or so. (Tests consist of lining up for ten minute segments to isolate and test various things) Just lining up for a test and snap, over she rolled." No one was injured and the crew, with help and pumps from the team tender, kept the boat from sinking.
Not all of the training would be in the America's Cup class boats. Holmberg will still get out on the international match racing circuit as well. "We will put several Oracle teams on the circuit to keep us all learning, sharpening our skills, and getting a much needed break from the training. This is really what attracted me to this team," said Holmberg.
The project will be keeping Holmberg away from the Virgin Islands, "Although I will miss the Virgin Islands and will only be able to visit during breaks over the next two years, it's an incredible opportunity to work with such a talented group on such a major endeavor. My partner Denise (Balzac) is with me throughout the trip and we really love New Zealand and its people, so this is another great opportunity to experience a nice part of the world. Hello to all our friends and we hope you'll come down to visit us and see this incredible event."

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders aim to move up in the major college basketball rankings after taking the first Paradise Jam Classic with an exciting 81-77 victory over Southwest Missouri State on Saturday night.
The win keeps Texas Tech, ranked No. 13 by the Associated Press going into the tournament, undefeated with a 3-0 record. In the consolation game, Penn State crushed Louisiana State University by a score of 86-52.
The Lady Raiders overcame another high-scoring Jackie Stiles performance; last year's NCAA scoring leader finished with 38 point for Southwest Missouri (2-1, AP No. 17). Tech's Plenette Pierson racked up a double-double, 27 points with 10 rebounds.
In the battle for third place in the tourney, Penn State was led by freshman guard Kelly Mazzante's 24 points and Maren Walspeth's 14, as the ninth-ranked Lady Lions took advantage of a depleted LSU squad. Two players for the 10th-ranked Lady Tigers did not play because of suspensions.

LAND SPORTS
GOLF
Mahogany Run
Mahogany Run Road (Rt. 40). Tee times and information 800-253-7103, 777-6006
TENNIS
Frenchman's Reef
Frenchman's Bay. Two courts. Reservations are required. 776-8500, ext. 6818
Renaissance Grand
Smith Bay. Reservations requested. 775-1510, ext. 7800
The Ritz Carlton
Great Bay. Reservations required. 775-3333, ext. 58.
Sapphire
Sapphire Beach. Reservations requested. 775-6100
Wyndham Sugar Bay
Smith bay. Reservations are required. 777-7100
Public Courts
Sub Base. Two courts with lights
HORSEBACK RIDING
Half Moon Stables
777-6088
MARINE PARKS
Coral World
Smith Bay
775-1555
For a virtual tour of St. Thomas' exciting marine park click here.

SAILING CHARTERS
Adventure Centers
Frenchman's Reef
774-2992
Alexander Hamilton
Red Hook
775-6500
American Yacht Harbor
Red Hook
775-6454
Caribbean Yacht Charters
Compass Point Marina
775-6003
The Charterboat Center
Red Hook Dock
775-7990
Comsail Yacht Charters
Smith Bay
776-3382
Daydreamer
Renaissance Grand
775-2584
Fantasy
American Yacht Harbor
Red Hook
775-5652
Flagship
Yacht Haven
774-5630
Iguana Sailing Charters
Long Bay
513-2693
Ike Witt Charters
American Yacht Harbor
Red Hook
771-2600
Morningstar Charters
Point Pleasant Resort
775-1111
New Horizons
Sapphire Beach Resort
775-1171
Nightwind Charters
Sapphire Marina
775-4110
Regency Yacht Vacations
Long Bay Road
776-5950
Sundance
American Yacht Harbor
779-1722
Treasure Isle Cruises
Nadir
775-9500
True Love
Sapphire Beach Resort
779-1640, 775-6547
Waterplay
Renaissance Grand
774-2584, 775-1510
Watersports Safaris Inc.
Frenchman's Reef Resort
776-1690
Water Toys in Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100
Yacht Vacations
Yacht Haven
776-5300
Winifred
Red Hook
775-7898
SAILBOAT RENTALS
Fanfare Charters
Vessup Point
1-877-715-1373
(or 715-1373)
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz-Carlton-Great Bay
775-3333
Waterplay
Renaissance Grand
774-2584, 775-1510
Watersports Safaris Inc.
Frenchman's Reef
776-1690
Water Toys in Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100
POWERBOAT CHARTERS
The Charterboat Center
Red Hook Dock
775-7990
Dohm's charter
Red Hook
779-2711
Limnos Charters
American Yacht Harbor
775-3203
New Horizons
Sapphire Beach Resort
775-1171
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz-Carlton Center
775-3333
Red Hook Boat Service
775-6501
Regency Yacht Vacations
Long Bay Road
776-5950
Salt Whistle
Red Hook
690-7141
Southern Trades Yacht
Safe Haven Marina
774-7175
Waterplay
Renaissance Grand
774-2584, 775-1510
Water Toys in Paradise
Sugar Beach Resort
777-7100
Yacht Vacations
Yacht Haven
776-5300
POWER BOAT RENTALS
Aqua Blue
Sapphire Beach Marina
775-1242
The Charterboat Center
Red Hook Dock
775-7990
Nauti Nymph
American Yacht Harbor
800-734-7345, 775-5066
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz Carlton-Great Bay
775-3333
Sea and Ski
Cabrita Point
775-6265
Waterplay
Renaissance Beach Resort
774-2584/775-1510
Water Toys in Paradise
Sugar Beach Resort
777-7100
SPORTFISHING
American Yacht Harbor
Red Hook
775-6454
Abigail III
Sapphire Beach Resort/Marina
340-775-6147
Boat phone: 340-775-6024
Bluefin II
775-6691
The Charter Boat Center
800-866-5714, 775-7990
High Performance Charters
Nazareth Bay
777-7545
Marlin Prince
American Yacht Harbor
693-5929
Hook-E-Player
Red Hook
775-3281
Fish Hawk
Frydenhoj
775-9058
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz Carlton-Great Bay
775-3333
Phoenix
Sapphire Beach Marina
775-6100, 775-6465
Prowlers Sportfishing Charters
Smith Bay
779-2515
Sportfishing Charters Inc.
American Yacht Harbor
779-2515, 775-7205
Waterplay
Renaissance Beach Resort
774-2584, 775-1510
Water Toys in Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100
SCUBA/SNORKELING
Admiralty Dive Center
Windward Passage Hotel and Emerald Beach Resort
888-900-DIVE, 777-9802
Adventure Centers
Frenchman's Reef Resort
774-2992
Aqua Action Dive Center
Secret Harbor
775-6285
Blue Island Divers
Crown Bay Marina
774-2001
Caribbean Divers
Red Hook
775-6384
Chris Sawyer Diving Center
Compass Point Marina
775-7320
Check the website at http://www.islands.vi/~sawyerdive/
Coki Beach Dive Club
Coki Beach
775-4220
Dive In
Sapphire Beach Resort
775-6100 ext. 2144
Dive World
Vitraco Mall
774-8687
Drumbeat I and Drumbeat II
Long Bay Road
800-934-0047, 771-4459
Hi-Tec Watersports Inc.
Crown Bay
774-5650
Hook-E-Player
Red Hook
775-3281
Mask and Fin
42 Norre Gade
774-7177
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz Carlton, Great Bay
775-3333
Regency Yacht Vacations
Yacht Haven
776-5950
St. Thomas Diving Club
Bolongo Bay
776-2381
Underwater Safaris
Yacht Haven Marina
774-1350
V.I. Diving Schools
Vitraco Park
774-8687
Waterplay
Renaissance Beach Resort
774-2584, 775-1510
Watersports Safaris Inc.
Frenchman's Reef
776-1690
Water Toys in Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100
WINDSURFING/SUNFISH
Adventure Centers
Frenchman's Reef Resort
774-2992
Aqua Action Dive Center
Secret Harbor
775-6285
Waterplay
Renaissance Beach Resort
774-2584, 775-1510
Water Toys in Paradise
Sugar Beach Resort
777-7100
Caribbean Parasail and Watersports
775-9360
Dive In
Sapphire Beach Resort
775-6100 ext. 2144
Dive World
Vitraco
774-8687
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz Carlton-Great Bay
775-3333
West Indies Windsurfing
Vessup Bay
775-6530
Waterplay
Renaissance Grand Beach Resort
774-2584/775-1510
Water Toys In Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100
KAYAKING
Virgin Island Ecotours
Nadir
779-2155
Adventure Centers
Frenchman's Reef Resort
774-2992
Caribbean Parasail and Watersports
775-9360
Dive In
Sapphire Beach Resort
775-6100
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz Carlton-Great Bay
775-3333
Waterplay
Renaissance Grand
774-2584, 775-1510
Water Toys In Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100
West Indies Windsurfing
Vessup Bay
775-6530
JET SKIS
Adventure Centers
Frenchman's Reef Resort
774-2992
Caribbean Parasail and Watersports
775-9360
Caribbean Parasailing and Waverunners
Elysian and Westin Hotels
775-4206
Dive World
Vitraco
774-8687
Elysian Beach Resort
Nazareth Bay
775-1000, 779-1686
St. Thomas Diving Club
Bolongo Bay
776-2381
Sapphire Beach Resort
Sapphire Resort
775-6100 ext. 2144
Ultimate Adventure Watersports
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Slip S-34
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Reservations: 775-6100, Ext. 769 or 690-2262
or click here for more information.
Water Play
Renaissance Grand 775-1510, 774-2584
Water Toys In Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100
PARASAILING
Adventure Centers
Frenchman's Reef Resort
774-2992
Caribbean Parasailing and Watersports
775-9360
Caribbean Parasailing and Waverunners
Bolongo Bay
775-4206
Dive In
Sapphire Beach Resort
775-6100 ext. 2144
Patagon Aquatic Center
Ritz Carlton-Great Bay
775-3333
St. Thomas Diving Club
Bolongo Bay
776-23871
Ultimate Adventure Watersports
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Slip S-34
775-6100, Ext. 769 or 690-2262
or click here for more information.
Watersports Safaris Inc.
Frenchman's Reef
776-1690
Waterplay
Renaissance Grand
775-2584/775-1510
Water Toys In Paradise
Sugar Bay Beach Resort
777-7100

If you can't afford a cruise, you can still drop into the Marriott Frenchman's Reef for a 'pretend experience'. Or if you're visiting the island and looking for something different to do in the evenings, this might interest you.
"Caribbean Carnival" takes place in the Sunset Grill at Frenchman's Reef on Tuesday evenings from 7-10. The Northstars Pan Ensemble, "Bull" the fire-eater, a limbo contest and island personality Irvin "Brownie" Brown, overseeing the festivities, accompany the buffet style dinner.
From the grill: steak, lobster, mahi mahi, ribs and barbecued chicken are the popular entrées with a salad bar and a huge dessert table completing the fixed price meal. Prices range from $35-$49. for the complete meal, which includes a complimentary rum punch.
A seafood buffet is presented at Windows on the Harbor on Friday evenings, from 6-10. There is no entertainment on Friday, but the view of the harbor is breathtaking. The complete meal is $32.50.
Stretch your pretend cruise evening by adjourning to the west patio just off the lobby and enjoy steel pan music from 5-8 or John Cahill at the piano from 8-11, while you watch the moon over the harbor. You can also stop in at the Captain's Café/Bar on the third floor to have a nightcap and watch your favorite game.
For more information and reservations, call 776-8500.

The Southwest Missouri State Lady Bears held off a late charge by the Louisiana State University Lady Tigers in the second half to win 85-75, behind 42 points from last year's NCAA Division I scoring leader, Jackie Stiles.
The local crowd was behind the undersized and understaffed Lady Tigers though 17th-ranked SW Missouri had hundreds of fans on hand to cheer them on Friday night at the Paradise Jam in the Kean High School Gym.
Tenth-ranked LSU fielded just seven players after two players were suspended for fighting in an earlier win. But Lady Tigers coach Sue Gunter did not think that size or the small bench was the factor that led to her team's demise.
"We did not play hard in the first half," she said. "If we played the entire game with the intensity we played with in the closing minutes the game would have been different."
Stiles' game-high 42 points put her just 717 points from the NCAA Division I record. "I don't focus on records," the 5-foot 7-inch senior said. "I simply do whatever it takes to help my team win."
She did exactly that Friday. LSU double-teamed Stiles in the second half, but her teammates picked up the scoring. Stiles' teammate Carly Deer scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Stiles also was perfect from the line 13 times, and for that she gave credit to Kean's brand-new facilities. "I like this gym," she said.
LSU's starters accounted for all their scoring and played all but 11 minutes. Marie Ferdinand led the Lady Tigers with 23 points and went the full 40 minutes of the game. Kisha James also played all 40 minutes, but that wasn't the hard part: She was also assigned to guard Stiles.

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders tipped off the Paradise Jam Women's Collegiate Basketball Tournament Friday evening by upsetting the Penn State Lady Lions, 79-71.
The Ivanna Eudora Kean Gymnasium was near capacity and jumping as hundreds of fans had followed their teams to the tournament.
The 13th-ranked Lady Raiders shot 50 percent from the field in the first half while the 9th-ranked Lady Lions shot 42 percent themselves and were only down 36-32 at the midway point.
The Lady Lions cut the lead to two with an early basket in the second half, but Texas Tech went on a 10-0 run to take a 12-point lead and never looked back. The Lady Lions could not roar back into the game as the Lady Raiders kept them at bay, never allowing them to get closer than seven.
The Lady Raiders were led by their lone senior, Katrisa O'Neal who bounced back from lackluster shooting in the first half of just 4 for 12. She shot 67 percent in the second half and led her team and all scorers with 24 points.
" I was thinking too much about shooting," she said. "I had to stay focused and keep shooting in the second half."
O'Neal's teammates Plenette Pierson and Jia Perkins added 16 and 12 points, respectively. Half of Perkins' points came from behind the arc, as she went 2 for 4 from three-point range.
The Lady Lions were lead by Kelly Mazzante who scored 22 points. Lisa Sheperd just missed a double-double as she had 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
The Lady Raiders scored 27 points off of turnovers, 14 more than the Penn State. The Lady Lions outrebounded Texas Tech, 44-37. But the Lady Raiders captured all the fast-break points by a margin of 10-0.

"Charlie's Angels" appear to have lost none of their appeal or momentum from the '70s TV series, though the ladies now rely on physical instead of metal weapons, a smart move.
Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu are Bill Murray's little darlings this time around, and if that cast doesn't knock your socks off, you'd be better off at the bowling alley, or updating your stamp collection.
The angels are called into action to intervene in the kidnaping of a famous millionaire. According to one sage reviewer, "If you're willing to check your brain at the door and accept that Drew Barrymore can take out five men with her bare hands, while tied to a chair . . . ," well, this is your cup of tea or Gatorade. Another wag noted, "This version of the 'bod-squad' is smart enough not to take itself too seriously." There's nary an ill comment about the movie, as the girls track down some high-tech thieves, and are backed by well-known crime fighter LL Cool J.
The movie is directed by Joseph McGinty and McG, a music-video director, and rated PG-13 for action violence, innuendo and some sensuality and nudity.
Now playing at Market Square East Cinemas.

From all indications, "Bounce" is the sort of middle-of-the-road Hollywood formula picture that normally trickles down to the Virgin Islands, though it at least has the advantage of real actors in Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow and a writer/director, Don Roos, who's displayed a distaste for cliché in his previous work ("The Opposite of Sex").
In this case, the date-movie formula cranks up when Affleck gives his airline ticket to a Los Angeles writer (Tony Goldwyn) he meets at a snowbound airport. The writer is killed off when the plane crashes, allowing Affleck to turn grief-stricken, drink too much, check into rehab and a year later seek out Paltrow as the writer's widow to ease his conscience.
They fall for each other.
Such suspense as the movie holds turns on when and how Affleck will 'fess up and tell Paltrow about his connection to her dead husband. But moviegoers have the rewards of watching two accomplished young actors dig into the material and create fully rounded human beings striving to commit to one another.
"This touching, finely wrought bowl of suds is a seamless piece of work," according to the New York Times.
"As Abby Janello, the widowed mother of two young boys, Ms. Paltrow gives a performance of astounding delicacy and depth… Playing Buddy Amaral, a swaggering, gregarious advertising executive recovering from alcoholism, Mr. Affleck nearly matches Ms. Paltrow in the understated intensity and exquisite detail of his performance."
In the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert agrees that there's "good chemistry, good performances, but the movie depends on precise timing in the revelation of the secret, delays it too long, and curiously keeps Paltrow offscreen for the moment of truth. Good, but could have been better." Ebert gives the film three stars.
The New York Times concurs that "Bounce" "may be far from a great film, but its pleasures are consistent enough to remind you of how few movies nowadays come anywhere close to matching it in intelligence and emotional balance."
Now playing at Market Square East Cinemas.

Police on Friday were looking into a report of an aggravated rape of a minor that occurred in the early morning hours in Estate Fortuna.
In a statement, police said a female minor was asked by a suspect to help move electronic equipment by car. The suspect then drove with the victim toward Fortuna Hill and allegedly sexually assaulted her around 12:45 a.m.
Police are said to be investigating the report.