IT WAS A SAD DAY FOR THE MAN WHO WON IT FOR THE AUSSIES : Disappointed Bertrand Only a Spectator as Conner Gets Cup Back
Lumps in their throats, tears in their eyes--John Bertrand knew how Dennis Conner and the Stars & Stripes crew felt when they took possession of the America’s Cup Friday.
Bertrand felt the same way after sailing Australia II to victory at Newport, R.I., in 1983. This time, he was left alone to deal with the pain in his heart.
“I’m very disappointed right now,” Bertrand said.
“We fought too long and hard to get it here to see it go so easily. A 4-0 whitewash just staggers me.”
The 50-minute ceremony to launch the cup on its journey back to the United States was conducted along the Swan River on the grassy beach of the Royal Perth Yacht Club, where the 136-year-old Victorian ewer had been since Bertrand steered Alan Bond’s boat to victory over Conner, 4 wins to 3.
Remarks were delivered by Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, U.S. Ambassador Bill Lane and Stars & Stripes syndicate chairman Malin Burnham. Two Australian navy bands played the national anthems of both countries and, appropriately, “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Dr. Fred Frye, commodore of the San Diego Yacht Club, formally accepted the trophy from Alan Crewe, commodore of the Royal Perth Yacht Club.
Hawke paid off a bet by giving Conner an Australian bush hat to deliver to President Reagan when he sees him at the White House Sunday.
Burnham said that Stars & Stripes would commission a sculpture to be placed in the Esplanade Plaza along the Fremantle waterfront “to show our appreciation to the people here.”
Bertrand quietly watched all of this from a VIP seat behind the crews on the ground in front of the podium. Bond was in the front row on the podium and was applauded when introduced. Bertrand was not introduced.
That didn’t seem to bother him as much as some oversights in the campaigns of the Australian defenders.
“We were a little bit soft,” Bertrand said. “Some people involved didn’t take it seriously enough.”
Bertrand wasn’t directly involved, having gone into an investment business after his ’83 victory.
“I couldn’t (help much) because I wasn’t committed,” he said. “That was part of the problem. Some of the people that were involved weren’t committed, either.”
Bertrand would not be more specific.
The Cup, he said, “was extremely important for the self-image of Australia. What a marvelous thing for young people to aspire to. It’s higher than the Olympic Games.”
Bertrand sailed in three Olympics and four America’s Cup regattas.
But even with the Cup headed for San Diego, Bertrand said, one satisfaction remained.
“We feel very proud that we were able to change this event forever,” he said.
There were no crowing, no displays of joy by the Stars & Stripes people, who realized how much it hurt the Australians to see the tangible proof of their greatest sports achievement going back across the ocean.
Conner had to be coaxed by photographers to raise the Cup in a triumphant gesture.
Crewe said: “This is a very sad day for the Royal Perth Yacht Club.”
Frye, the first American to receive the trophy since Commodore John Cox Stevens took possession for the New York Yacht Club in 1851, noted “another turning point in the history of the America’s Cup.
“We have an awesome responsibility as custodians of this Cup,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the citizens of Australia. Your sportsmanship is unequaled. I can never forget the sight of that harbor when we came in on Wednesday afternoon. You are unbelievable. Your generosity and good will have made us feel at home.”
Conner, in blazer, tie and deck shoes, with no socks, said: “This has been a dream come true for the people that I’m up here representing.
” . . . I can’t tell you how I feel and how millions of other Americans feel about this super day. Speaking from my heart, this event was made possible by the people here in Perth and Fremantle and Western Australia (who) made this event so special.”
Afterward, some of the crew revealed their feelings. For most, the realization of their achievement sunk in as they focused on the Cup sparkling in the sun before them and listened to an Australian navy band playing their anthem.
Navigator Peter Isler said: “It’s kind of corny, but I got a chill up my spine. The America’s Cup looks pretty shining in the sunlight.”
Bowman Scotty Vogel called it “kind of a misty moment.”
Said grinder Henry Childers: “How many times is your national anthem played for you especially?”
Port tailer Bill Trenkle said: “Looking up and seeing the Cup and the Australian flag and the Royal Perth flag, I had a different feeling than last time, watching it being handed over to the Australian guys.”
Mainsail trimmer and crew manager Jon Wright said: “It won’t hit me until we get back to the States. Every time I talk to somebody on the phone, it’s really a big deal there.”
Their Continental charter “Stars & Stripes” will land in San Diego at 12:30 p.m. today, then will fly on to Washington tonight for White House receptions with President Reagan Sunday and Monday.
Tuesday they will have a ticker-tape parade in New York City.
Donald Trump, the New York real estate developer who owned the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League, is paying for the parade.
“I remember watching the astronauts getting a ticker tape parade when I was a kid,” Isler said. “I sure didn’t think it would ever happen to me.”
Starboard tailer Adam Ostenfeld said it was “a very special moment in my life. . . . Dennis never gave up even a little bit. We’ll be sailing together a long time. It’s great to see him come back and do it. I’m glad I could help him.”