Conner Backs San Diego for America’s Cup

After months of speculation that he might endorse Hawaii as the site of the next America’s Cup races, skipper Dennis Conner said Thursday that San Diego, his hometown, should hold the yachting event.

“I’ve often said that the America’s Cup should be wherever it’s best for the America’s Cup,” said Conner, whose Stars & Stripes crew won the Cup in February. “I still stand by that.

“At this point, I’m in a position to say that San Diego is the site for the 1991 America’s Cup, as long as the community is able to commit the resources necessary to host it.”

Conner’s announcement at the San Diego Yacht Club put to rest rumors that he favored holding the 12-meter event in Hawaii because of better sailing conditions there. In April, Conner had said that although he felt emotional ties to San Diego, light winds off the Southern California coast might put his defense of the cup at a disadvantage.

Conner and his crew trained in Hawaii before the races off Fremantle, Australia, when Conner recaptured the trophy he had lost to Australia 3 1/2 years earlier.

Thursday, Conner said he had put off an endorsement of a race site because the selection committee had not been picked. He said San Diego is “obviously a great place to sail,” and as long as state and local governments provide the financial support needed for the event, San Diego should be the 1991 America’s Cup venue.

Conner discounted the significance of relatively light winds off San Diego, saying, “There’s a lot more to an America’s Cup than just strong winds.

“Properly done, I’m convinced the TV coverage will be more interesting in light winds (than in heavy).”

Because of rapidly advancing technology, Stars & Stripes is already obsolete, so Conner’s new boat will have to be redesigned to function well in light winds, Conner said.

The America’s Cup site selection committee will meet Sunday in San Diego, and a venue could be chosen then, according to an aide to county Supervisor Brian Bilbray, who heads a task force to bring the defense of the America’s Cup to San Diego.

Sporting a starred-and-striped tie, with sunglasses perched atop his head, Conner used Thursday’s press conference to plug some of his recent ventures, including the release of a book, “Comeback,” and lithographs depicting Stars & Stripes. He also announced that he intends to bring an America’s Cup museum to San Diego.

He would not discuss an extraordinary challenge for the Cup filed by New Zealand earlier this summer.