America’s Cup ’95 : A Kiwi Cruise?

American Dennis Conner, who last won sailing’s top prize by using a catamaran in 1988, will try to keep the 129-ounce silver ewer in the United States when he and his crew begin the best-of-nine competition against a potent New Zealand crew off Point Loma on Saturday

TEAM DENNIS CONNER

The ultimate America’s Cup match is always an exercise in the unknown between boats that haven’t raced against each other, and this time the equation is further muddled b Dennis Conner’s discard of his slower Stars & Stripes in favor of PACT 95’s mermaid-emblazoned Young America.

The Main boat, which observers say closely resembles the lines of Team New Zealand’s Black Magic 1, dominated the defender trials (24-12) while Stars & Stripes barely topped .500 (19-18). Conner is gambling on his crew’s ability to become accustomed to a different boat in only a wee of practice. Conventional wisdom indicates his veteran crew can.

Then there is Conner. He doesn’t always win the America’s Cup, but he never goes down easily. He has turned the helm over to Paul Cayard, whose aggressive style in a competitive boat could give the Kiwis the match they haven’t yet had.

TEAM NEW ZEALAND

In its fourth bid for the America’s Cup in nine years, New Zealand has never been so close. The syndicate built two boats, Black Magic 1 and 2, lost only once in 38 races and was clearly superior to the other six challengers, during the challenger series. The Kiwis chose to race the slightly older and narrower Black Magic 1 (NZL 32), but either boat would be formidable. New Zealand boats had impressive records in two other multinational challenges before succumbing to internal and external pressures, but this team has appeared impervious to collapse.

Skipper/helmsman Russell Coutts, one of the world’s top two or three match-racing sailors, leads a solid crew not given to physical or mental mistakes. The crew is so strong that syndicate chief Peter Blake is aboard as a mainsail traveler grinder at the crew’s behest.

TEAM DENNIS CONNER

Skipper: Dennis Conner

Foredeck: Greg Prussia, Ralf Steitz, T.A. McCann, Josh Belsky, Wally Henry

Grinders: Rock Ferrigno, Jim Nicholas, Paul Larkin, Brad Rodi

Sail Trimmers: Steve Erickson, Bill Trenkle, Jud Smith

Afterguard: Paul Cayard, Jim Brady, Tom Whidden

TEAM NEW ZEALAND

Skipper: Russell Coutts

Foredeck: Dean Phipps, Joe Allen, Matthew Mason, J. Scantlebury, Ross Halcrow

Grinders: Craig Monk, Andrew Taylor

Sail Trimmers: Simon Daubney, Robbie Naismith, Warwick Fleury, Peter Blake

Afterguard: Murray Jones, T. Schnackenberg, B. Butterworth, Rick Dodson

THE COURSE

The America’s Cup course is a six-leg, 18.55-nautical mile windward/leeward course with starboard roundings.

VISTA POINT: The public can view the nine-race challenge at the Cabrillo National Monument off Point Loma.

THE POSITIONS

Each competing boat has a crew of 16 and an observer. The observer, the owner or a sponsor, is permitted but not required to be on the boat.

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Foredeck

BOWMAN: Sets up headsail changes from the pitching foredeck, handles the spinnaker pole and is often hoisted up the mast t repair jammed halyards, which raise and lower the sails.

SEWERMAN: Spends most of the race below decks organizing various sails.

MASTMAN: Primary responsibility is to hoist and lower sails.

PITMAN: Makes sure control lines and sails are in order. Helps with halyard and winches.

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Mid-Deck Grinders

GRINDERS: They provide the muscle to turn the winch handles that mechanically trim the sails.

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Sail Trimmers

HEADSAIL TRIMMER: One sits to port and the other to starboard, fine-tuning the trim of the headsails n conjunction with the grinders.

MAINSAIL TRIMMER: Maintains optimum trim of the mainsail in concert with the helmsman, to maintain fastest speed.

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Afterguard

SKIPPER/HELMSMAN: Steers the boat and approves tactics, sail selection and other decisions.

TACTICIAN: The skipper’s alter ego and eyes outside the boat. Evaluates opponent’s position, movements and performance ad how to counteract.

NAVIGATOR: Tracks the performance of his boat and opponent’s boat in relation to the wind and the next mark. Postions the boat for anticipated wind changes.

STRATEGIST: Title and duties vary from boat to boat. Controls backstays when tacking or jibbing and offers tactical suggestions.

OBSERVER