Conner’s grip on Cup tightens

Press, 3 February 1987, Page 1

Conner’s grip on Cup tightens

By

ANDREW DARBY

of AAP Fremantle Australia’s claim to yachting brilliance paled in the giant shadow of Dennis Conner as he closed his fingers yesterday round the America’s Cup he lost four years ago.

The first country to take the trophy from the United States looks unable to win a single race in its defence as Conner relentlessly guided Stars and Stripes past Kookaburra 111 to win his third successive Cup race by Imin 46s in moderate breezes.

The 44-year-old sailing legend is now on the verge of becoming an

American sports hero.

His revival to move within one race of retaking the Cup has been as spectacular as was his loss of it.

The decisive moment yesterday came when Conner thrust the rapierbowed blue yacht past the control of Kookaburra 111.

Before that moment half-way up the first beat Kookaburra Ill’s skipper, lain Murray, had nervelessly dug his control into the blue boat. Kookaburra 111 came off the starting line with right of way and a marginal advantage, and three times forced Stars and Stripes to tack underneath.

Then the fourth time they crossed, the margin was fractional and Murray tried the make-or-break slam dunk, heaving his yacht to windward beside Conner. In other major races leading to the Cup series, other challengers tried the move against Conner and failed as he slid out from underneath them. Fate treated Kookaburra 111 with no more kindness.

Gradually, during the next 10 minutes Stars and Stripes inched away from the control of Kookaburra 111 as the wind kept puffing up from 12 to 16 knots.

In a move that snapped the hearts of Australian

supporters, Murray had to tack away to look for a better breeze, and at the next crossing Conner kept control.

After that, it was more of the same punishment for Kookaburra 111.

Though the margin was a tight 15s round the top mark, Stars and Stripes turned on stunning downwind speed to clear out from Kookaburra Illi.

Stars and Stripes cleared that margin out to 57s by the leeward mark, virtually sealing the Australian boat’s fate.

Conner kept the same conservative, methodical control over Kookaburra 111 as he had in the earlier races.

He moved to a safe distance and stayed there. Kookaburra 111 could claim a minor disadvantage with an apparent mainsail problem just across the starting line.

Bowman Don McCracken climbed aloft apparently to close a zipper that tightens the mainsail on the beats to windward.

In the end, however, yesterday’s result had the ring of total annihilation for any hope Australians may have had of defending the Cup that meant so much when it was won. Kookaburra 111 was outclassed. Its options for improvement appeared to amount to nought