Aust, yachts prepare for vital third round

Press, 24 November 1986, Page 48

Aust, yachts prepare for vital third round

NZPA-Reuter Fremantle The fancied Kookaburra yachts and Alan Bond’s Australia 111 and IV were in dry dock yesterday being prepared for the third round of the America’s Cup defender selection series next month. The Kevin Parry syndicate’s Kookaburra 111, which finished the second round of racing with a nine-point advantage, and Kookaburra 11, third over all a point behind Australia IV, were both undergoing routine maintenance work, according to a Taskforce member, Grant Donovan. “Nothing major is being considered at this stage,

but there are set plans which could be put into action after this series,” he said. “If the boats keep winning, then it’s unlikely there’ll be any changes, but if their performance drops off, there are alternatives.”

Australia 111 and IV, were also receiving maintenance and minor changes, according to the syndicate’s executive director, Warren Jones.

Australia 111, now out of competition, will be used for development work at sea while its more successful partner continues racing as Alan Bond’s chief bid to retain the cup.

Mr Jones refused to elaborate on the changes

Australia IV would undergo but said more speed was needed to find an edge over the Kookaburras. Struggling South Australia, fourth, 21 points behind the leader, was also in dry dock for keel modifications and other minor changes, said a spokesman, Graham Ferrett. Mr Ferrett said that with Australia Ill’s withdrawal, the three points per win awarded in the next round made it harder to catch the top boats. “But morale is high after winning our last race against Australia IV and we’ll be regrouping with high expectations,” he said.