America’s Cup Trials : Conner Beats New Zealand, Loses Vote

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

Conner’s Stars & Stripes blemished the controversial KZ7’s record with a 49-second victory in the America’s Cup challenger trials, but Conner was unable to get enough support for his request that core samples 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 win, earned in 18- to 22-knot southwesterly winds and rain that churned up five-foot swells on the Indian Ocean course, moved the San Diego Yacht Club’s 12-meter yacht into a first-place tie with New Zealand and the New York Yacht Club’s America II. All have 9-1 records.

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

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 action can be taken.

“Our position now is, if that’s the consensus of the challengers, we’ll drop it right here,” executive administrator Sandy Purdon of Sail America said in San Diego.

In another race, Eagle (4-6), the struggling Newport Beach entry, finally got the strong wind it wanted but still lost to Britain’s White Crusader (7-3) by a whopping 4 minutes 43 seconds. Eagle had to change a damaged headsail after the first upwind leg.

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

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