Challengers Down to the Nitty-Gritty : Challenger semifinals: The four remaining syndicates are fighting each other to gain an edge, no matter how small.

Another potential controversy nipped in the bud. Stan Reid, were it not for the jobs he already juggles as a doctor and chairman of the Challengers of Record Committee, would make a fine gardener.

Even on non-racing days, calm waters in the game of the America’s Cup are getting harder to find. As the stakes grow, the syndicates step up their nit-picking. Any avenue to one-up, or trip-up, the competition seems fair.

This time it was New Zealand doing the probing. At issue was Nippon’s practice of changing its rudders. It is believed the Japanese use a longer rudder for strong winds and a shorter one for light winds. They changed rudders between race days during the last round. However, the Kiwis came up empty with their challenge.

The gun sounds for the challengers today, as the semifinals of their trials begin off Point Loma, one day after the defenders semifinals started. With the Spanish, the Swedes and the two Australian syndicates out, the remaining four contenders are vying for two spots in the finals. The survivors advance to the challenger finals, which begin April 19.

Today’s matchups have Nippon against New Zealand, in the meeting of the favorites, and Ville de Paris sailing against Il Moro di Venezia, considered the Nos. 3 and 4 challengers, in no particular order.

“Who will make the Louis Vuitton Cup finals, we really don’t know,” said Jean-Marc Loubier, director of marketing and communication for the sponsor. “What I know is that it is difficult to accept the idea that two of them are going to be eliminated, but that’s the game.”

Earlier in the week, a member of New Zealand’s team sent out a three-page memorandum asking Reid to look into the International America’s Cup Class public interpretation of rule No. 13, which deals with changing or substituting underwater configurations during a round-robin. Although no names were mentioned, the finger was clearly pointed at the Japanese.

“I won’t comment on what we are or aren’t doing,” Nippon skipper Chris Dickson said. “And the rules are very explicitly clear. You’re allowed to change masts. You’re allowed to change booms, your poles. You are allowed to change your rudder within tolerances that are very clearly defined.

“There’s a rule that’s been sitting there for two years. Everyone knows about it. If anyone wants to change their rudder within tolerances that are provided . . . the rules are very clearly spelled out.”

Apparently someone pulled the wool over the Kiwis’ eyes. Reid, the mediator of most of these feuds, probably knew the question about changing their boats during the round would come up during the news conference, but asked the New Zealand Press reporter to repeat it anyway.

“The short answer to that is yes,” Reid finally said. “The long answer is please look at . . . the rule issue in 1989. That will explain it perfectly for you. If you read the rule, I’m sure you’ll understand there are no two ways of interpreting that rule. It’s straightforward, it’s clear. It’s been in place since 1989. I personally can’t see another way of interpreting it.”

Ken McAlpine, IACC technical director, said the rule, in its 1989 interpretation. “is still applicable. It hasn’t been re-interpreted,” and that further clarification will come early next week.

“We will set down exactly what the tolerances are.”

But, is what Nippon’s doing, if anything, OK? Did the Japanese find a loophole in the rule?

“It’s certainly an area that they’re not alone in exploiting,” McAlpine said.

Dickson said the issue was raised by the Kiwis for one reason--they ain’t got what he’s got.

“I’m sure the Kiwis weren’t asking on their own behalf because, as we know, the Kiwi boat doesn’t even have a forward rudder,” he said.

Hopefully, that puts an end to that issue, as the business of sailing has already consumed the thoughts of all involved.

“I can tell you it will be a good race,” New Zealand skipper Rod Davis said of today’s match against Nippon. “We had a good race last time with them, and came out on the wrong end of it, but I do think it will be good, and that will be the tone of the whole series. All the races in the semifinals are against very good teams and there will be some knock-down, drag-out races.”

Italian skipper Paul Cayard agreed. “Racing will be tough as nails, everyone better be ready to go. There is very little doubt Dickson is one of the best skippers in the world, but how far behind Rod Davis is, or (France’s) Marc Pajot or Paul Cayard are, I don’t know.”

Not too far, according to Pajot.

“First of all, I know what sailing is, and in certain sailing conditions, we are very close to the three other boats. I’m confident that we have improved with this crew and with the boat, too.”