Conner Deals New Zealand Its First Loss
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, and as far as we are concerned, the matter is closed,” New Zealand official Peter Debreceney said.
Sail America seemed to agree.
“Our position now is, if that’s the consensus of the challengers, we’ll drop it right here,” executive administrator Sandy Purdon said in San Diego.
However, Purdon said the syndicate was “a little miffed at why it did not pass. We took a poll before the meeting and thought we had 12 votes.”
Conner still has the option of lodging a formal protest with the race jury.
Challenger Series Notes
In other races, Eagle (4-6), the struggling Newport Beach entry, finally got the strong wind it wanted but lost to Britain’s White Crusader (7-3) by a whopping 4:43. Eagle had to change a damaged headsail after the first upwind leg. Eagle official 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.” He wouldn’t discuss details, other than to say: “We are now realizing what one of our problems is.” . . . America II defeated 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.