AMERICA’S CUP UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Syndicates Cite Need to Change

As skippers gave their versions of how the first round of the Louis Vuitton Cup turned out, all seemed optimistic and ready to begin work in preparation for Round 2.

But the most common theme heard was the need to change. Even the winners said modification was the name of this game.

Said Chris Dickson, who led Nippon to a 6-1 mark--it retired one match--and shares the lead with New Zealand: “This was the first time Nippon Challenge has ever competed in the America’s Cup, so it was certainly very important and very good for us that that round was a good one for us.

“We had always planned on making significant changes to our boat between every round. With six wins, it would be tempting to say we’ll just make small changes, but we will be going ahead with the changes exactly as planned and we look forward to a new and improved boat for the next rounds.”

Fair play? The question of syndicates using underwater surveillance equipment, and their legality, was raised following the conclusion of the challengers’ opening series Sunday night. But the finger was clearly pointed at the defenders, in particular, America 3.

Skipper Paul Cayard of Il Moro di Venezia addressed what he considered was playing within the rules.

“I don’t know if there is a line between sportsmanship, obviously there is a legal line,” he said. “I guess they’re not breaking the law. I’m sure they’re not breaking law, anywhere. I’m sure the Cuben’s (America 3) wouldn’t be breaking the law in any of the areas. I’m positive they would never do anything like that.

“There’s the group, and the group’s playing the game a certain way. And then there’s the exception. America 3 is definitely the exception.

“They’re very aggressive in what they do. They’re a little different from the rest of the group. It’s just something we have to deal with.”

Baby Boom: If anyone had reason to add to its compound, it would be New Zealand, and the addition would be a maternity ward. Four New Zealand crewmen and their wives are expecting their first children, one of which will be the second American birth for the syndicate during their stay in Coronado.

Kevin and Sally Shoebridge are expecting a baby later this month, Mike and Robi Quilter and Denis and Andrea Kendall won’t become parents until after the Cup finals in May, but Tony and Lynda Rae have been told a May delivery date is probable.

The Rae’s baby will be the second born in the United States to a Kiwi family. Grant Davis, born to skipper Rod and Liz Davis, was born here seven months ago. He is their third child.