Good Show

There has been considerable speculation that Dennis Conner would recommend Hawaii for the location of the 1991 America’s Cup 12-meter yacht races, thus passing over his own home port of San Diego and, for that matter, San Francisco Bay. Conner chose Hawaiian waters for the training of his Stars & Stripes team before winning the cup back from Australia in Australia early this year. The island winds, for one thing, are stronger than can be expected off San Diego.

But Conner now says that there is no reason an exciting America’s Cup contest cannot be held in light air. In fact, under proper conditions television coverage could be even more interesting in such circumstances, he said. And thus Conner endorsed San Diego for the 1991 races, provided the necessary financial support is forthcoming.

No slight to Hawaii, but Conner clearly has made the proper decision, based on his own criterion that “the America’s Cup should be wherever it’s best for the America’s Cup.” The cup now resides in California, and it is proper that the 1991 defense be raced in California.

Conner’s decision was expected to win speedy ratification by the site-selection committee. State and local governments should be quick to help provide necessary facilities, within reason. When staged thousands of miles away, the 1987 cup races proved immensely popular with millions of Americans who never before had an interest in sailboat racing. A 1991 America’s Cup series off Southern California’s coast should be a smashing show.