America’s Cup Trials : Unbeaten America II, New Zealand Meet Today
Unbeaten New Zealand played the tricky wind shifts and won on the last leg Wednesday, dealing French Kiss its first defeat--by 40 seconds--in the America’s Cup challenge trials.
Skipper Chris Dickson’s so-called “Plastic Fantastic,” the only fiberglass 12-meter in the competition, was scheduled to race America II, also unbeaten in three races, in the highlight match today.
Eagle (2-2), the Newport Harbor Yacht Club entry skippered by Rod Davis, finished 10 minutes 45 seconds--nearly a mile and a half--ahead of two-time Cup winner Courageous IV (0-3), which appears to be the punching bag of the fleet.
Eagle had a bye today. Courageous will race Italy’s Azzurra (0-4).
Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes beat back an unrelenting assault by Britain’s Crusader for a decisive (1-minute 16-second) victory. Conner is the only skipper besides Dickson with four wins.
America II, skippered by John Kolius, managed to stay ahead of a persistent drive by USA of San Francisco (1-3) and won by 1:34.
France’s other entry, skippered by Pajot’s brother, Yves, remained winless at 0-3, the victim of Canada II (2-2), which won by 5:15.
Buddy Melges’ Heart of America (2-2) trailed Azzurra for seven of the eight legs but caught up on the last for an 18-second victory.
“We tacked nearly 50 times on the last leg,” Melges said. “When push comes to shove, we’re able to race.”
America’s Cup Notes The winds remained light in the Indian Ocean where the races are being conducted, and shifts up to 20 degrees have turned the competition into something of a guessing game. Wednesday, the winds were 6 knots at the start, later building to 13 to 15 before dropping to 12 at the finish line. Heavier winds were forecast for today and Friday over the two 24.5-mile courses. . . . French Kiss, which seemed fast in heavy air at the world 12-meter competition in February, was modified for lighter conditions and has been going well. Now, observers wonder whether she can still perform in strong winds.