AMERICA’S CUP NOTEBOOK : Future Cups Subject to Winds of Change

Things to look for in the next America’s Cup:

- The same class of boats, perhaps with some modification if the Cup goes to a windier venue. But of the four possibilities remaining, only Auckland would figure to be windier than San Diego. Tokyo, Sete and Venice would be about the same, or worse.

- More bowsprits. The event will depart from the book and write its own rules about sail-handling methods, opening it up for more innovation.

- Less silly secrecy. Besides turning off the public, the International America’s Cup Measurers have found that dealing with keel shrouds and the like is a nuisance in doing their jobs, and syndicates wouldn’t have to spend so much money on divers, rent-a-cops and electronic spy stuff in the espionage-counterespionage game.

- More and better carbon-fiber. Oddly, some have found that high-tech carbon fiber rejected by government contractors is cheaper than the low-tech stuff they’ve been using, and not much more expensive than aluminum or fiberglass.

- The 17th crewman, or “owner’s representative.” Everybody seems to like the idea. The only concern would be if the same 17th--especially a member of the syndicate--keeps showing up on the boat. People might talk.

Those were the some thoughts that came out of this week’s meetings among Cup principals, before the start of the next rounds of racing at the end of next week.

Saving money was not directly considered, but eliminating the cloak-and-dagger nonsense and retaining the IACC would save a lot of start-up research and development the next time.

Afterthought to Stars & Stripes cutting out its transom: If the aim of the competitors is to get dead weight out of the ends of the boats, there’s an easy way to dump 150 to 250 pounds right away.

Just leave the 17th man behind. The rule only permits the boats to carry an idle 17th person, but does not require it.

America 3 uses the scheme to reward donors or winners of its support programs. Stars & Stripes takes along the CEOs and such of its sponsoring corporations. Most of the challengers have just taken owners, kings or syndicate people.

The person does not count in the crew weight limit--1,440 kilograms (3,168 pounds, or 198 pounds per man)--and he or she is required to remain aft of the helm and offer no verbal or physical input, other than to sit on one side or the other to help balance the boat.

Ideally, they would like a fat one when the wind blows and a skinny one when it’s light.

This weekend’s “Team Days” at the America’s Cup Museum will feature Team Dennis Conner on Saturday and Nippon Challenge on Sunday, with each team appearing from 2 to 4 p.m.

Dennis Conner won’t be there, but the public may take pictures and talk to crew members.

John Kolius, sparring helmsman for Il Moro di Venezia skipper Paul Cayard, will be back with the team preparing for the March 29 semifinals after steering Champosa to victory in the International 50-Foot Association’s Miami World Cup Regatta.

The boat is owned by Masatoshi Morita, a Japanese music industry mogul, and was designed by John Reichel and Jim Pugh of San Diego, who also are members of the America 3 design team.

In a nine-boat fleet at Miami, Champosa posted finishes of 1-3-1-2-4-2-1-4.

The sixth annual America’s Schooner Cup Regatta will be run by the Kona Kai International Yacht Club on Saturday and Sunday in San Diego Bay.

Saturday will feature a boat parade and fleet racing, followed by match racing and finals Sunday.

The event benefits the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.