Conner Loses Appeal but Deals New Zealand Its First Defeat

Dennis Conner lost in the committee room Friday but defeated New Zealand’s fiberglass boat where it counts--on the water.

Conner’s Stars & Stripes wiped out the controversial KZ7’s unblemished record with a 49-second victory in the America’s Cup challenger series, but Conner was unable to get enough support for his request for core samples to be drilled from the hull of the rival craft.

“It was just another race,” Conner joked after one of the closest matches yet. “I’m thrilled we’re tied for the lead.”

Conner’s victory, earned in 18- to 22-knot southwesterly winds and rain that churned up five-foot swells on the Indian Ocean course, sailed the San Diego Yacht Club’s 12-meter into a first-place tie with New Zealand and the New York Yacht Club’s America II. All three are 9-1.

“It was painful losing out there,” New Zealand skipper Chris Dickson said. “The better boat of the day won.”

Conner and Dickson said big wind shifts and confused seas played a major role in the race. Conner said a puff on the right side of the course put him ahead.

Conner’s request for the hull samples was rejected because a majority of the officials representing 12 of the 13 challenger syndicates refused to approve an amendment to further test KZ7. Two-thirds of the syndicates must agree before any action can be taken.

“We feel they came to the right decision,” New Zealand official Peter Debreceney said, “and as far as we are concerned, the matter is closed.”

Conner still has the option of lodging a formal protest to the race jury.

In other races, Eagle (4-6) of Newport Beach finally got the strong wind it wanted but lost to Britain’s White Crusader (7-3) by 4:43. Eagle had to change a damaged headsail after the first upwind leg.

Eagle spokesman Bill Crispin said in Newport Beach: “In those conditions, which should have been our conditions, the White Crusader was faster. We will make some minor alterations.”

America II beat Italy’s Azzurra (1-9) by more than six minutes, and French Kiss (5-5) left Chicago’s Heart of America (2-8) trailing 3:40 behind with a broken spinnaker pole.

The heavy weather took its toll. The San Francisco-based USA (6-4) and Italia (6-4) sailed the course at their leisure with Challenge France (2-8) and winless Courageous IV withdrawing before the start with equipment problems. Challenge France snapped a main halyard and Courageous broke its boom.

While the 13 challengers batter each other on and off shore, the Australian defense rivals have been quietly watching, appraising the ranks, before starting their own trials today.

Millionaire industrialist Alan Bond has entered two boats, Australia III and Australia IV, in the defender selection series.

Ben Lexcen, the developer of the winged keel that gave Australia II the winning edge and designer of Bond’s current entries, says there is no chance the syndicate will become involved in Conner’s campaign to check the construction of New Zealand’s boat.

Australia “lives in the biggest glass house in the world” because of its winged-keel innovation and would be “the biggest hypocrite in the world” if it complained about New Zealand’s boat, Lexcen contends.