For Yanks, Thanksgiving Down Under Is Up in the Air

Camp chefs scrambled today, trying to find the right ingredients for Thanksgiving dinners so the U.S. crews competing in the America’s Cup could celebrate the American holiday.

All the American teams except Dennis Conner’s stopped practicing for the third challenger’s series, which will start next Tuesday. With Conner expected to arrive back from San Diego, his crew couldn’t afford a full day off from practice.

“The crew will be sailing all day,” spokeswoman Lesleigh Green said. “There won’t be anything too special, other than a big dinner for 70 at the crew house.”

Gloria Melges, wife of Heart of America skipper Buddy Melges, said: “We’re getting the whole team together for a lovely traditional dinner and a big surprise.”

She had a specially made video flown in from the United States, featuring greetings from friends and families.

Crewmen for Eagle, the Newport Beach boat, rejected offers of lavish restaurant meals to stay at their trailer park.

“We’ve had several offers from different groups and restaurants to get out of our compound, but we’re going to whip up a great meal here,” Eagle spokesman Michael Dinn said.