America’s Cup Trials : New Zealanders Show Fiber and Mettle, Stay Unbeaten in Face of Protest
FREMANTLE, Australia — The “glassgate” America’s Cup showdown between New Zealand and Dennis Conner is scheduled today, and the Kiwis appeared to be ready for threats by land or by sea.
However, Conner’s Sail America syndicate now indicates that it won’t immediately protest the race over KZ7’s fiberglass construction, as it had indicated earlier.
In a letter Wednesday to the international jury supervising the races, Sail America said: “We understand . . . that discussions with the measurement committee and Lloyd’s (Register) are ongoing and that there will be a meeting of the challengers on 17 October (Friday) to discuss the situation further. . . .
“However, in the event that facts justifying a protest are subsequently found, we may then protest.”
The New Zealanders, anticipating a protest today, said they already have prepared a case on the legality of KZ7.
All other 12-meters are built of aluminum.
In Wednesday’s races, continuing the first round of challenger trials, unbeaten New Zealand earned its ninth straight victory by a 4-minute 41-second margin over the struggling Eagle (4-5) from Newport Beach.
Eagle skipper Rod Davis outmaneuvered New Zealand’s Chris Dickson to gain a six-second edge at the start but didn’t have the boat speed to hold his lead in the light 10-knot winds. New Zealand increased its lead at every mark.
In a match marked by mishaps, Conner sailed Stars & Stripes (8-1) over the starting line too early, then compounded the error by crossing Canada II (5-4) on a port tack--starboard has the right of way--forcing the Canadians to veer away on the first leg.
After the San Diego Yacht Club skipper had finished 2:19 ahead, Canadian helmsman Terry Neilson filed a protest, then dropped it.
The New York Yacht Club’s America II (8-1) scored a 33-second victory over French Kiss (4-5), and San Francisco’s USA (5-4) trounced Italia (5-4) by 3:52.
Chicago’s Heart of America (3-7) with tactician Bill Shore at the helm, defeated winless Courageous IV (0-9) by 4:43. Heart of America’s skipper, Buddy Melges, took the day off to rest for today’s race against French Kiss.
Challenge France (2-7) sailed around the course alone when Italy’s Azzurra (1-9) withdrew for the second day with steering problems.
America’s Cup Notes New Zealand is tuning up against one of its two original fiberglass boats before each day’s racing. The trial boat indicates to skipper Chris Dickson which sail and rigging combinations work best under the given conditions. The Kiwis also have drawn raves for their crew work. They seem to be doing the best job all around. . . . Observers have noted that French Kiss turns through a tack slower than its rivals. No explanation has been given. . . . Gucci, Italia’s major sponsor, has provided 57 different items of clothing for the crew, from underwear to thongs.