America’s Cup Trials : Courageous IV Finally Wins, Then Quits

New Zealand’s controversial KZ7, America II and Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes--all 10-1--seemed certain to finish the first round of America’s Cup challenger trials in a deadlock today, as another tired old campaigner threw in the towel.

Courageous IV, the much-modified version of the 12-meter that defended the cup in 1974 and ‘77, dropped out--after finally managing to win a race Saturday, over Challenge France (2-9).

Courageous IV, skippered by David Vietor, won by a substantial 1:07, then a syndicate official announced that the boat was being withdrawn.

“Courageous is uncompetitive,” Norman Rosenblum said. “We want her to go out with grace and style.”

Rosenblum said the syndicate will try to purchase a yacht from one of the multi-boat competitors before the second challenger series begins Nov. 2.

Only two of the other U.S. syndicates have boats available that could be sold to the Courageous group. The New York Yacht Club has two other America II 12-meters in Fremantle, while San Diego’s Sail America has Stars & Stripes ‘85, the first of Conner’s new fleet.

It was reliably learned that America II has rejected an offer, and Sail America was expected to do the same. The rules for the America’s Cup state that each boat must be built in the country it represents.

With 18 defense and challenge rivals crowding onto three Indian Ocean courses in shifty winds of 13 knots, Conner’s Stars & Stripes ’87 repelled French Kiss (5-6) to score a 3:40 victory, and six Australian yachts began the long battle to decide which will defend the America’s Cup won three years ago.

The Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s Eagle (4-7) staged a close race with America II before losing by 1:35, and New Zealand left Canada II (5-6) behind by 2:37.

In the defender series, industrialist Alan Bond’s lead entry, Australia IV, clobbered South Australia by 2:30, and rival Kookaburra III had an easy 4:03 romp over Steak ‘n Kidney.

The two winners are rated the strongest defender rivals and are scheduled to meet today.

In other races, Great Britain’s White Crusader (8-3) came from behind on the last leg to defeat Italia (6-5) by 2:19 after the Italian boat led on every other beat, and San Francisco’s USA (7-4) routed Italy’s Azzurra (1-10) by 5:22.