NOTEBOOK : Closed-Circuit Telecasts of Races to Be Shown at International Centre

Starting today, the public can view the races free on a large-screen, closed-circuit TV at T.G.I. Friday’s in the International America’s Cup Centre--as long as they don’t bring their own lunch.

The restaurant offers food and drink for sale and will feature live coverage of the races on a 9-foot by 12-foot video monitor utilizing 16 31-inch screens next to the bar.

“It’s in our restaurant,” Friday’s general manager Paul Cederwall said, “but people are welcome to come in and watch, if they’re not going to bring their own food.”

Defender races are scheduled to start at 12:15, challengers at 11:30. The challengers’ next series starts Feb. 15.

The Centre is on Pacific Highway between Broadway and Ash. Hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

Current theme: “Celebrate! Sweden.”

The harshest criticism of espionage has been directed at America 3.

“There is a saying in America,” Bill Koch responded to a foreign journalist Friday, “that ‘If you live in glass houses, don’t throw stones.’

“The challengers have been very aggressive in spying on us. In fact, the Italians, in one of the races, barged into the starting area in a rubber boat next to a spectator boat. Stars & Stripes and Jayhawk were circling and (the Italians) had two guys on board and they were both peering over the side trying to get pictures of our keels.”

Rivals have accused America 3 of using underwater cameras to photograph their keels and electronic equipment to tap telemetry on other boats’ performances.

“We must be causing them some concern,” Koch said. “We are doing nothing that is illegal or in any way questionable. Some of the challengers have a fairly good imagination. I wish there were some such devices as they talk about.”

Stars & Stripes tactician Tom Whidden said, “We hear about laser rangefinders, sonar and equipment that is pretty ‘Star Wars’ oriented.

“Do I think it’s wrong? No. I think if there is a way to measure a boat’s performance and you are trying to beat that boat and you aren’t doing anything illegal or questionable under the Fair Sailing rule, sure, I think it should be allowed.

“I think probably America 3 has more ability and more assets to gather this data.

“As far as getting close to one’s boat and harassing somebody, I don’t think that should be allowed.”

Koch, who has been sailing only eight years, was asked what he has learned from America 3helmsman Buddy Melges, who has been sailing more than 50 years.

“Buddy has had tremendous influence on my personal abilities,” Koch said. “The most I have ever learned in a single period of time is when he took me out on an A-scow (in Wisconsin) for two hours and said if I didn’t sail it right the boat would tip over.

“It was a pretty cold, windy day. I would say that my skills have improved. And I would also say that, like anything else, it’s never good enough.”

The Australians who have sailed in Sydney Harbor aren’t concerned about the sewage off Point Loma. They had a similar, continuous problem until the system was improved recently.

“Our sailors feel right at home now,” said Sydney journalist Rob Mundle.