Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes ‘87, which...

Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes ‘87, which thrived in the strong winds of Fremantle, Australia, when it won the America’s Cup last February, suffered when the 12-meter World Championships opened in light air off Sardinia.

While Australians Colin Beashel and Peter Gilmour swept the first two places, Conner’s big blue boat placed sixth in the first of eight fleet races that will determine four entries into the semifinals, which start July 1.