Fearing the Kiwis, Conner Abandons Boat : America’s Cup: Agreement allows him to jettison Stars & Stripes and sail rival Young America in the finals against Team New Zealand.
Stars & Stripes, the boat Dennis Conner sailed to win the America’s Cup defender trials with that amazing come-from-behind victory on Wednesday, is no more.
When Conner lines up against Team New Zealand for the start of the best-of-nine America’s Cup finals next Saturday, he will instead be aboard Young America.
An agreement reached Saturday gives Conner use of the PACT ’95 boat he defeated in the defender series.
“This boat and the proven strength of the Stars & Stripes team will be a winning combination,” Conner said. “Young America is a fast boat, and we believe it will significantly improve our chances of keeping the Cup at the San Diego Yacht Club.”
Although Team New Zealand, which could not be contacted Saturday night, already is on record as being opposed to Conner switching boats, officials of America’s Cup ’95 are comfortable that the move is within the rules.
Chuck Nichols, the president of AC ‘95, cited a two-year-old decision by the America’s Cup trustees regarding the defending boat: “The trustees’ committee finds that the defending club may select its defending yacht from the finalists of the (defenders’ series).”
The trustees are representatives of the New York, Royal Perth and San Diego yacht clubs, the three clubs that have held the America’s Cup.
Conner won the defender finals on Wednesday when he defeated America 3’s Mighty Mary after trailing by as many as 42 boat lengths. That victory also knocked out Young America, the boat he has chosen to sail against the Kiwis.
Young America, owned by the Maine-based PACT ’95 syndicate headed by John Marshall, had the best record during the defender series. It was 24-12, compared to 20-18 for Stars & Stripes.
Conner, however, earned the right to defend the Cup because his team was best in the finals, when he was 6-2 with Stars & Stripes while the other defender teams were 3-5.
After the victory that gave him the right to defend the Cup, Conner was less than enthusiastic about his chances with Stars & Stripes: “I don’t think anyone in touch with reality looks forward to defending the Cup with this boat,” he said.
It was obvious that he was interested in negotiating for the use of one of the other boats. Bill Koch, a Conner archrival who heads the America 3syndicate, conceded that Conner had the best team but the worst boat.
It was no surprise that Conner turned to Marshall, a teammate in previous Cup campaigns.
“Dennis’ request is a tribute to the entire PACT ‘95/Young America team,” Marshall said. “If using Young America and having the assistance of our team helps get the job done, we all emerge as winners.”
Marshall said his team will provide both technical and on-the-water assistance between now and Saturday’s opening race against the Kiwis.
“Four months of defender trials have proven Young America’s hull has speed advantages,” Conner said. “We appreciate the competition provided by (skipper) Kevin Mahaney and his great crew and we look forward to training with their fine sailors.”
Marshall’s Young America and Koch’s Mighty Mary aligned near the end of the defender finals to try to oust Conner and set up a sail-off between their boats to determine the defending boat. What happened Saturday was a realignment.
By the time the agreement was signed, Conner and Young America already were on the water.