Word: kookaburra
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...specialist. Says ( Murray: "In the early races I was coming in every day with double vision. It's like having a saltwater hose going flat out into your face." Murray and crew now wear sunglasses, which must constantly be cleared of caked salt with squeeze bottles of fresh water. Kookaburra Mainsheet Trimmer Peter Gilmour, known as "Crash" for his aggressive tactics as Murray's starting helmsman, sometimes wears an industrial dust mask to protect his face from sunburns and windburns...
...Marshall. In search of the ideal hull, the team used a computer analysis of wind and wave conditions on the Indian Ocean while turning out four prototypes, the last of which was Stars & Stripes. As for the keel, Marshall allows that it has a "shorter set of wings than Kookaburra, which means that there is less drag downwind." The U.S. boat is also extremely fast when headed into the wind -- an important advantage given that four of the eight legs of the 24.1-mile triangular course are sailed in that direction. Just to be extra sure, there is also...
...breezes. The day after Conner won the challengers' finals two weeks ago, the wind dropped from 25 knots to 15. That was unfortunate for Stars & Stripes, which Conner has likened to a "fuel dragster" since it was specifically built to excel in winds above 18 knots. The more maneuverable Kookaburra was expected to gain an edge in lighter breezes. But that prediction too may not hold in the water. Subdued winds marked the boats' first confrontation, but did not help Kookaburra...
...berth in the finals, while the dispirited Kiwis had to win three. If the draper succeeds, next week he will face either his old nemesis, Perth Millionaire Alan Bond and Australia IV, a descendant of the boat that won at Newport, or more likely the lithe and speedy Kookaburra III, owned by rival Perth Businessman Kevin Parry. Some experts now believe the onrushing Stars & Stripes will take it all. Conner is making no claims. But though he may try some equipment changes for the ultimate contest, the theme song is set. Playing Danger Zone seems to suit him just fine...
Meantime, three Australian syndicates are battling for the right to defend the Cup. Bond's Australia IV, descendant of the '83 champion, is six points behind Kookaburra III, which represents the Cup debut of rival Perth Millionaire Kevin Parry. Sydney's Steak 'n' Kidney trails the pack...