Panel picks KZ7 in final

Press, 20 December 1986, Page 80

Panel picks KZ7 in final

By

ROBERT LOWE

of NZPA

Sydney

An international yachting panel has predicted an America’s Cup challengers’ final between New Zealand and Stars And Stripes. The panel, which includes the Australia II helmsman, John Bertrand, former American tactician, Gary Jobson, and Canada II designer, Bruce Kirby, said the Kiwis would win through. However, KZ7 was likely to be pipped by Kookaburra 111 in the face-off between challenger and defender. The six-man Data Gen-

eral race predictions panel has been publishing the results of its crystal ball gazing every fortnight since the five-month cup marathon began.

The latest conclusions are the first since the four semi-finalists in the challengers’ series were decided.

The panel chairman, Jock Sturrock, a former Australian 12-metre skipper, said Tom Blackaller’s USA and Dennis Conner’s Stars And Stripes would have “blood on the decks” when they met. "It will be a tough one between Dennis Conner and Tom Blackaller,” he said. “There is no love lost , between them.”

However, the panel said Conner would win the best-of-seven semi-final. It also said the defenders’ final would be a contest between Kookaburra 111 and Australia IV.

The panel awards each yacht points according to a number of criteria, including syndicate organisation, crew work and boat design.

The boats still in the Cup have received the following scores in the latest predictions: Kookaburra 111, 88.9; New Zealand, 88.8; Australia IV, 83.8; Stars And Stripes, 83.76; Kookaburra 11, 80.94; USA, 75.1; French Kiss, 67; and Steak ’n’ Kidney, 56.7.