Edition: U.S. / Global

PLUS: YACHTING -- ADMIRAL'S CUP; The Netherlands Wins With Smith

Published: July 24, 1999

Dee Smith, who was a member of the United States team that won the Admiral's Cup in 1997, contributed to the defeat of the Americans this year and helped the Netherlands win the Admiral's Cup for the first time yesterday.

The Netherlands won the unofficial world championship of offshore sailing after the eight-race regatta off the Isle of Wight, followed by Europe and Britain with the defending champion, United States, fourth, 31 points behind the Dutch.

Smith switched to the Dutch team this year as tactician on the big boat Innovision 7. Despite a gallant finish by the American big boat Idler, skippered by Ken Read, the three-yacht team did not do enough in the 388-mile Wolf Rock Race to overhaul the leaders.