As Some Exalt With Cup Fever, Others, Well. . . : . . . In Lakeside, They Hardly Cared

If a world championship rodeo was being televised, maybe there would have been more interest here. But this is Lakeside, which is known for cowboys and horses.

The America’s Cup attracted minimal interest Tuesday night at the Lakeside Hotel. After all, Dennis Conner won’t be defending his championship on Lindo Lake.

“This is something new to me,” Ron Rogers said. “It’s for our country, and Dennis Conner is doing a great job. I don’t understand what’s going on at all. It really doesn’t matter to me if they have the next one in San Diego. I’m from Lakeside, and I’m a redneck. This is way out of my realm. It’s a rich man’s sport.”

Jim Smith agreed.

“How’s Star-Spangled Banner doing?” Smith asked. “I think it’s dull. What do I know about a boat race? Isn’t this cute, a guy with a little sailboat?”

The hotel was adorned with posters, none mentioning the America’s Cup. There were advertisements for local bands, Willie Nelson, mud wrestling and male nude dancers. Most of the evening’s attention was focused on the billiards table, out of view from the television set.

To be sure, there was some interest in the America’s Cup. Though the large-screen television was situated behind customers at the bar, several looked periodically at the competition.

“I was in Newport (R.I.) when they had it there,” Mike Walton said. “Everyone was really fired up about it. It’s the kind of thing that sometimes I think about it, and sometimes I don’t. It’s nice to be winning.”

“I’m not sure about this,” Don Brown said. “That’s an awful lot of money to be putting into boats. There are money people at the yacht club and poor people at the Lakeside Hotel. We have a little class out here. We might not be able to buy a boat, but we’re glad Dennis Conner is winning.”

Bartender Marsha Hiatt said she met Conner while working at the Oceanside Yacht Club.

“He’s a nice guy, but he’s kind of arrogant,” she said. “People here are more down to earth. The atmosphere is more friendly. Up there, it’s more this group and that group.”

As Tuesday night progressed, interest waned. Once Conner gained a 42-second lead, the television set was little more than background chatter.

When Conner crossed the finish line, nobody even noticed.