Steak ‘n Kidney Beats Stars & Stripes in Light Winds

Light winds forced a shortening of the first round-robin semifinal race at the World 12-Meter Yachting Championships Sunday, but the change did little to help America’s Cup winner Stars & Stripes.

The American yacht, skippered by Dennis Conner, had little chance in the light breezes of 4 to 5 knots, losing to Steak ‘n Kidney of Australia by 8 minutes 12 seconds.

Sunday’s winners in the staggered-start races--Kookaburra, Bengal, New Zealand and Steak ‘n Kidney--each have one point in the semifinal standings.

Stars & Stripes was flying a protest flag at the finish, contending that Steak ‘n Kidney started on an improper line. However, the protest was later dropped.

“We reviewed our videotapes and conferred with the race committee,” said Peter Eisner, navigator of Stars & Stripes. “We all concluded that Steak ‘n Kidney made a perfect start.”

The next races are set for Tuesday. The top finishers in each of two groups will contest the best-of-three final.

Forecasts call for more light air this week.

“We’re facing the reality of the weather right now,” Eisner said. “But we’re not out of this yet. If we win two and Bengal loses two, then we can get our chance.”

Bengal, formerly Australia III but now owned by a Japanese millionaire, scored a convincing victory over Entertainer of Sweden, covering the course in 3 hours 11 minutes 55 seconds to clip the Japanese entry by 7 minutes.