America II’s former skipper blamed his resignation...
America II’s former skipper blamed his resignation on squabbles that kept him from focusing on the bid to wrest the America’s Cup from the Australians.
“This decision was not based on what has been happening on the water,” said John W. Kolius at a news conference in Newport, R.I., his voice cracking with emotion. “It was a result of syndicate politics which were interfering with my ability to devote all my energies to the sailing effort.”
The resignation of Kolius, 34, of Darien, Conn., was announced last week, less than two weeks before he and the crew of America II were to begin winter training for the 1986-87 races off Perth, Australia.
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