THE AMERICA’S CUP : Conner, Murray Tired of Talking and Ready to Race

Give Dennis Conner a break.

The United States’ international image is a mess, the dollar is down and the swallows may not return to Capistrano, but these things are out of the man’s hands.

“I’m just a poor sailor,” Conner said today, addressing the broader implications of the America’s Cup final series he will commence against Australia’s Iain Murray and Kookaburra III Saturday (9 o’clock tonight PST).

“I haven’t given any thought to politics. I’ve got my hands full trying to beat Iain. We’re just down here trying to win a sailboat race.”

Likewise, Murray will not accept the burden of defending the cup on behalf of 15 1/2-million Australians.

“We lost in 1983,” Murray said, referring to his personal involvement on Advance, another Australian effort that failed in the challenge trials.

“As we see it, the people that won the America’s Cup in 1983--the Bond syndicate, who were representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club--have already lost the cup, and it’s now up for us to win it again. We’re in the same boat as Dennis.”

For perspective’s sake, it’s good to see that nobody is taking this too seriously. Conner certainly denies an obsession to bury the defeat that all but consumed him in 1983.

“No one could say Dennis Conner is more determined than (San Francisco’s) Tom Blackaller or (Britain’s) Harold Cudmore or (France’s) Marc Pajot,” Conner said, citing some skippers who fell by the wayside here. “There’s no way that maybe God himself could tell us who was the most determined.

“I am fortunate enough to still be here because I have a great group of people. The design people gave us a boat that was up to the task and the crew has done a great job sailing the boat around the course to its potential.

“I’m seen here as the quarterback, the one who gets the credit because we’re successful. But it’s not a Dennis Conner show. It’s a Stars & Stripes show.

“I had a problem in 1983 because, on the one hand, I had to be convincing myself that I had the ability to go out there and win that event. The mental standpoint, the self-image standpoint is an important part of the sport, but the reality of it was that I was up against a very formidable package in Australia II. I was concerned, maybe more anxious in 1983.

“This time I’m more relaxed and, you might say, cautiously optimistic.”

Since arriving last September, with a couple of quick trips home to San Diego, Conner truly has settled into the community and is seen frequently about town. The Australians have come to regard him, with affection, as “Big Bad Dennis.”

“The Australian people like a good sporting contest and I guess they like my style,” Conner says. “The pressure was definitely in defending the America’s Cup after 132 years of holding it. I’m enjoying it this time.

“The last four months seem to have gone in the twinkle of an eyelash. In some sense there’s a feeling of sadness that it’s all gonna end within the next week or 10 days and we’ll be going about the rest of our lives.

“But we all have a feeling, let’s get on with it. We’ve spent 2 1/2 years working hard, and let’s get to the starting line.”

In that regard, the Royal Perth held a solemn coin toss today to determine which boat would start the 10-minute prestart sequence from the starboard (committee boat) end of the line and which would come from port. Conner won and chose starboard, although the significance escapes everyone.

They’ll alternate during the best-of-seven series.

More significant is what will happen after they converge in the middle.

“We’ll be on the offensive at the start,” Murray said.

The Kookaburras’ style, with Peter (Crash) Gilmour at the helm through the prestart maneuvering, is to trap the opponent in a protest situation or, failing that, to be in a controlling position at the gun.

Murray warned: “We’ll be sailing the races the way we know best, and if that involves the protest room . . . we’d like to think we’ve had plenty of practice in the protest room.”

No contest. The two Kookaburra boats filed 28 protests during the defender trials and won six.

Stars & Stripes filed one in its 43 races.

Conner said: “We’re getting ready for any eventuality.”

Conner believes his boat is faster upwind than Kookaburra III, so he sees no point in mixing it up before the start. His only plan is to get away at the gun with clear air, preferably toward the left side of the course where the wind is better.

Murray said: “To plan something before the start is impossible. There are too many variables.”

Conner: “The start is an extemporaneous exercise.”

After the start, Conner also would prefer to reach the first windward mark with a minimum number of tacks and still be in front when they reach the first leeward (downwind) mark to complete the first of three laps around the course.

Murray said: “I think you’ll see 90% of the races decided at the bottom mark.”

Conner agreed.

After that, the leading boat can sail to defend its lead. The total course on the Indian Ocean measures 24.1 miles and, with favorable winds, they’ll sail it in a little more than 3 hours.

The forecasts are that the wind gods will smile on Conner again. In the challenge final against New Zealand, the sea breezes in which S&S; ’87 thrives blew at 20 knots every day until it was over, then surrendered to the light, warm easterlies from the Nullabor Desert.

Now, on the eve of the cup finals, the climate seems to be turning Conner’s way again.

America’s Cup Notes Kookaburra III skipper Iain Murray earlier had predicted a 4-2 victory for himself. At the skippers’ press conference today he said: “I have made a prediction, which I’ll be very happy to withdraw here. We’ll just be happy to win four races.” Conner said: “I’ll echo Iain’s sentiments.”. . . Kenny Rogers entertaining with Dolly Parton in Perth, visited the Stars & Stripes dock today. It was hoped that Parton could pose with the new “Dolly” sail . . . Following Prince Albert of Monaco this week, Princess Anne of England will arrive in town next week and be honored guest at a $1,000 a plate dinner.