Suddenly, Aussies and Yanks Both Are Asking for Help From the Kiwis

With Dennis Conner pulling on one leg and Kevin Parry on the other, the Kiwi suddenly finds itself the object of a wish.

Both America’s Cup finalists are seeking the help of the New Zealand syndicate in preparing for the finals that begin Jan. 31.

Parry, whose Kookaburra III beat Australia IV in five straight races in the semifinals, said: “We sincerely hope that the Kiwis will join with us and make it a 20-million population that tries to keep the Cup down under.

“The fact that the other challenger (Dennis Conner) turns around and says it’s up to the Kiwis to help them, I say that the Kiwis are more than welcome to help us.”

However, after Parry’s attack on the popular Alan Bond Tuesday, New Zealand syndicate head Michael Fay might prefer to keep his distance. Stars & Stripes syndicate president Malin Burnham was scheduled to meet with Fay this morning to seek the Kiwis’ assistance.

The sentiment in New Zealand seems to be that Burnham has his nerve, considering it was he and Conner who launched a futile campaign in October to have core samples taken of the fiberglass KZ7, implying that it was illegal.

The national “Tonight” radio show in New Zealand polled 120 listeners on whether their team should help Stars & Stripes, and all 120 said no, emphatically.

Fay told New Zealand journalists: “It would be a mistake to let events of the last few months color our decision.”

Michael Moore, New Zealand’s minister of sport, said: “We have strong relationships with both Americans and Australians. Americans are our cousins, but Australians are our bros (brothers).