Americans chose wrong yacht — challengers

Press, 5 September 1983, Page 9

Americans chose wrong yacht — challengers

NZPA Newport Spokesmen for the two rival foreign boats seeking the America’s Cup said last evening the New York Yacht Club (N.Y.Y.C.) may have chosen the wrong boat to defend.

“Our uninformed feeling is that Courageous could well have been a quicker boat, and she would have been a much harder boat to sail against," said Jim Alabaster, a spokesman for Britain’s Victory ’B3. “I think John Kolius (skipper of Courageous) would have been much harder to win (against),” said Alan Bond, the chairman of the Australia II syndicate. ,

They commented after the N.Y.Y.C. chose the new yacht Liberty and its skipper, Dennis Conner, to defend the historic sailing trophy in the 25th challenge,

beginning on September 13. The yacht club discarded Mr Kolius and Courageous, veteran of three previous America’s Cup campaigns, as a defence prospect. Messrs Alabaster and Bond spoke after Australia II defeated Victory ’B3 by three minutes, seven seconds to take a 2-1 lead in the seven-race challenger finals. The winner of the challenger finals will face the American yacht in competition for the cup. “It’s possible they (the N.Y.Y.C. selection committee) thought Liberty had an edge over Courageous in heavier air, which they expect in September,” Mr Alabaster said.

“That doesn’t mean Dennis is easy,” Bond added. “We watched Kolius said and he is very able.” Both men said their yachts were hampered by

spectator Doats getting in the way in the last race, and Jim Alabaster said Victory ’B3 was forced to stop completely on one leg when she lost more than three minutes. “It affected both yachts,” said Alan Bond. “I don’t believe it affected the outcome of the race.”