Conner Syndicate Adds New Sponsor, Designer

Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup defense campaign announced Wednesday that it had secured Pepsi-Cola as a major sponsor for the effort.

Pepsi was a founding corporate sponsor when Conner won the America’s Cup back from Australia in 1987 and defended it against New Zealand in 1988.

A press release from “Team Dennis Conner” said Pepsi’s sponsorship had allowed the syndicate to begin building the first of three International America’s Cup Class boats it is planning and that it hopes to have it ready next spring.

Conner also announced that Alberto Calderon, a physicist who helped develop the innovative “twin wing” concept used by the 12-meter USA in 1987, would be joining the design team of David Pedrick.

Peter Debreceny, executive director for New Zealander Michael Fay’s America’s Cup challenges in Fremantle, Australia, and San Diego, has joined the Beach Boys USA Syndicate as marketing adviser, the syndicate announced.

HOCKEY

The Gulls, San Diego’s new International Hockey League franchise, announced the signing of two players, defenseman Pete Dineen and forward Carl Mokosak.

Dineen, 29, will be in his 10th season of professional hockey, including time with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings in 1986 and the Detroit Red Wings last year.

Mokosak entered pro hockey in 1981 with the Calgary Flames and also has spent time in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Boston. He played with Fort Wayne and Phoenix of the IHL last year, with 18 goals, 27 assists and 363 minutes in penalties in 70 games.

The Gulls now have three players, including Charlie Simmer, a player/assistant coach.

BODY SURFING

The 14th world championships will be held at the Oceanside Pier Friday through Sunday beginning each morning at 6:30. Approximately 400 body surfers will compete in eight men’s and three women’s categories.

BASKETBALL

Palomar College announced it had hired Richard Johnson, a Gardner-Webb (N.C.) College assistant, as its basketball coach. He succeeds Andy Gilmour, who resigned after 21 years. Johnson, 39, had a 217-38-1 record in 10 seasons as a Georgia high school coach, then coached part-time at the University of Georgia for three years before becoming an assistant at Gardner-Webb last season. As a player, he led the nation in community college rebounding in 1971.