Conner Knocked Out of Cup

America True ended Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup challenge today when it beat Stars and Stripes by 1 minute 32 seconds in light wind in the last race of the semifinal series.

Stars and Stripes needed to beat America True to force a sailoff Saturday with Prada, which it trailed by a point in the standings. Both boats finished with 7-3 records in the 10-race semifinals, but Stars and Stripes had a point deducted for using an illegal rudder in a previous race.

AmericaOne, which clinched a challenger finals spot two days ago and finished the semifinals with an 8-2 record, will face Prada in a best-of-nine finals series beginning Jan. 25.

The winner will face Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup beginning Feb. 19.

It was only the second victory in 10 starts for America True, which moved up to fifth place from last in the standings. Le Defi Francais, also with a 2-8 record, finished last among the six boats in the semifinals after having half a point deducted for causing a collision with Stars and Stripes in a previous race.

Japanese syndicate Nippon finished fourth with a 4-6 record.

Stars and Stripes and America True were the only boats on the Hauraki Gulf today, sailing a match delayed after the French boat ran into the side of Conner’s boat. Stars and Stripes needed two days for repairs.

Light wind of 7-9 knots hampered Stars and Stripes’ chances of winning the race today, with the boat configured for its best performance in stronger air.

America True helmsman John Cutler had the stronger start in the race, and picked up a favorable wind shift on the first beat for a 90-second lead after the first of six legs. Stars and Stripes never recovered.

The day before, there had been allegations of collusion on the water between U.S. teams. Stars and Stripes kept its hopes alive with a 22-second win over AmericaOne in winds that dropped from 18 to 10 knots, but the Prada camp reckoned it was a gift from AmericaOne skipper Paul Cayard to Conner.

When AmericaOne returned to harbor after its close but unremarkable losing effort, Prada’s shore crew wore paper Pinocchio noses, suggesting Cayard was lying when he promised to race hard and try to win.

Cayard was angered. “I guess this is to be expected,” he said when asked whether he’d thrown the race.

“I’d be remiss to say it doesn’t hurt. In my heart, I know we tried very hard to win the race.”