SAILING : Coutts Beats Mahaney for Title

Russell Coutts won’t have Kevin Mahaney to sail around anymore.

“I pretty much consider myself retired from sailing,” Mahaney said after losing to the New Zealander, 2-0, in the final of the Mazda World Championship of Match Race Sailing at Long Beach on Sunday.

Although both losses swung on penalties against Mahaney, it was his second runner-up finish of the month. After winning a silver medal in the Soling class at the Barcelona Olympics, he came to Long Beach on short notice as a third--and last--alternate to compete with the world’s best skippers in Catalina 37s.

Then, at 30, he walked away without a second thought.

Coutts, also 30, said: “I’m definitely not retiring. I love this sport--and he does, too.”

But Mahaney’s track record says he means it. Once a member of the U.S. ski team, he quit that sport eight years ago and never returned.

Coutts won $32,250, Mahaney $19,350, which he split with his five crewmen. He plans to return to his home in Bangor, Me., to help manage the family hotel and real estate development business.

With winds of 10 to 12 knots, Coutts also beat 1990 world champion Peter Gilmour of Australia in two consecutive races in the semifinals. Mahaney had to come from behind to eliminate New Zealand’s Chris Dickson, the three-time and defending world champion, 2-1, after losing the first race of their series--also on a penalty.

The finals were staged near the Queens Gate entrance to Long Beach Harbor. In the first race, Coutts ducked behind Mahaney’s stern when they crossed at the first windward mark, then poked his bow between Mahaney’s boat and the buoy.

Coutts protested that Mahaney hadn’t allowed him enough room to round the mark, and the on-water umpires agreed. Mahaney continued to lead until he did his penalty circle at the leeward mark, when Coutts went ahead to stay.

Later, Mahaney complained: “(Coutts) didn’t hit us. He didn’t hit the mark. I don’t know how much room he needs.”

Coutts held off Mahaney’s spinnaker charge at the downwind finish to win by one second.

In the second race, Mahaney held another small lead when he tacked too closely in front of Coutts near the first windward mark, drawing another penalty. Mahaney managed to push his bow in front by half a second at the finish line, but still had to do his penalty turn, costing him the race and the title.

“I don’t think the umpiring was as strong as the competitors,” Mahaney said. “But it’s hard when you’re on the umpires’ boat. I don’t want to sound like a sourpuss. We had a great week.

“I won’t have any trouble walking away from sailing. The hard part will be walking away from friends.”