Victories to KZ7, America II set up top-of-tabie clash

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 40

Victories to KZ7, America II set up top-of-tabie clash

By

ROBERT LOWE,

of NZPA Fremantle The co-leaders, New Zealand and America 11, successfully cleared their final hurdles yesterday to remain unseparated on the eve of their clash in the America’s Cup challengers’ series.

The Kiwis had a onesided encounter against Canada 11, powering to a 3min 10s win. The New Yorkers had a more combative opponent, downing USA by Imin 18s after a competitive struggle. The Chris Dicksonskippered KZ7 won the start of its match by Is, crossing to leeward of the Canadian boat but in clean air.

Shortly after, Canada II tacked away and when the tacked back and came together, New

Zealand was already ahead by four boat lengths. The Canadians were hampered during the first beat by a torn headsail, and by the first mark they were 2min 9s in arrears. The Canadian skipper, Terry Neilson, and his crew managed to hold the Kiwis over the downwind run, but by the third mark, the advantage to KZ7 had jumped to 3min 18s. From then, it was virtually single file to the end, with the margin between the boats never less than 3min.

America II stuck to character in its battle with Tom Blackaller’s USA. The New York Yacht Club’s entry, which has established a winning streak of‘ls, has done so by winning by comfortable, if unspectacular, margins.

Its skipper, John Kolius, won the start against U.S.A, and rounded the first mark 57s ahead. Tom Blackaller reduced the difference to 265, but his rival pulled away during the second upwind beat. Again, the San Franciscan came back and, at the final mark, with the difference chopped down to 395, it appeared USA might run America II close.

However, Kolius drew away over the final beat to notch another victory. KZ7 and America 11, which yesterday took their points tallies to 46, have remained locked alone at the top since the first day of the second round-robin. The deadlock is scheduled for resolution this evening. Both have lost only one of their 19 matches to date, and are unbeaten in

the second round. KZ7’s defeat was at the hands of Dennis Conner’s Stars and Stripes, a loss the Kiwis avenged last week.

America H’s only blemish to its record was inflicted by the New Zealanders.

Yesterday’s races were sailed in 24 to 28 knot winds and 1.5-metre seas. A shortened course of six instead of eight legs was used as weather forecasters had predicted that conditions would worsen as the day progressed. Stars and Stripes maintained sole possession of third place with a 2m 34s win over French Kiss.

Moving up to equal fourth place with U.S.A. on 28 points was Britain’s White Crusader, which yesterday went around the course virtually by itself.

Its opponent, the bot-

tom-placed Challenge France, was hampered before the start when it lost its jib overboard. The mishap allowed White Crusader to cross the line 4min 4s in front.

At one stage, the British boat threatened to eclipse New Zealand’s record win for the series of 13min 6s, achieved last Sunday against Heart of America. The final margin between White Crusader and Challenge France was 11m 535.

The French yacht was subjected to the embarrassment of being passed on the final leg by Stars and Stripes, which had started its race 15min later. Results.—

Italia, 2:23:13, beat Eagle (U.S.), 2:24:42 — winning margin 1:29. Heart of America, ,2:20:42, beat Azzurra (1ta1y),52:22:23 — winning margin 1:41.

America 11, 2:18:46, beat U.S.A., 2:20:04 — winning margin 1:18. New Zealand, 2:20:14, beat Canada 11, 2:23:24 — winning margin 3:10. Stars and Stripes (U.S.), 2:17:17, beat French Kiss, 2:19:51 — winning margin 2:34.

White Crusader (Britain), 2:24:01, beat Challenge France, 2:35:54 — winning margin 11:53. Matches today: America II v. New Zealand, French Kiss v. Eagle, Italia v. U.S.A., White Crusader v. Heart of America, Canada II v. Challenge France, Azzurra v. Stars and Stripes. Points after day seven.— Round

1 2 Pt America II 11 7 46 New Zealand 11 7 46 Stars’Stripes 11 5 36 U.S.A. 8 4 28 White Crusader 8 4 28 Italia 7 4 27 French Kiss 5 4 25 Eagle 4 3 19 Canada II 6 1 11 Heart’America 3 2 13 Azzurra 1 1 6 Challenge France 2 0 2