Friday, January 14, 2000 Updated: November 6, 9:38 AM ET
Stars & Stripes' challenge ends
Associated Press
AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- America True ended Dennis Conner's America's Cup challenge Friday when it beat Stars and Stripes by 1 minute, 32 seconds in light wind in the last race of the semifinal
series.
Stars and Stripes needed to beat America True to force a sailoff
on Saturday with Prada, which it trailed by a point in the
standings. Both boats finished with 7-3 records in the 10-race
semifinals, but Stars and Stripes had a point deducted for using an
illegal rudder in a previous race.
AmericaOne, which clinched a challenger finals spot two days ago
and finished the semifinals with an 8-2 record, will face Prada in
a best-of-9 finals series beginning Jan. 25.
The winner will face Team New Zealand for the America's Cup
beginning Feb. 19.
It was only the second victory in 10 stars for America True,
which moved up to fifth place from last in the standings. Le Defi
Francais, also with a 2-8 record, finished last among the six boats
in the semifinals after having half a point deducted for causing a
collision with Stars and Stripes in a previous race.
Japanese syndicate Nippon finished fourth with a 4-6 record.
Stars and Stripes and America True were the only boats on the
Hauraki Gulf on Friday, sailing a match delayed after the French
boat careered into the side of Conner's boat. Stars and Stripes
needed two days for repairs.
Light wind of 7-9 knots hampered Stars and Stripes' chances of
winning the race Friday, with the boat configured for its best
performance in stronger air.
"It's nice to know we got a lot out of our program, but
the bottom line is to come here and win the Cup," Conner said. "We are very proud, we had a very good boat, fortunately, and a wonderful experienced crew."
America True helmsman John Cutler had the stronger start in the
race, and picked up a favorable wind shift on the first beat for a
90-second lead after the first of six legs. Stars and Stripes never
recovered.
Prada on Thursday night lodged a protest against Team Dennis
Conner alleging the syndicate was using sails originally designed
by the Young America team, and calling for points to be stripped
from their tally. It was not clear whether the Italians would
continue with the protest.
