Word: skippers
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NEWPORT, R.I.--Skipper Dennis Conner, sailing conservatively after bolting into an early lead, steered Liberty to within one victory of the America's Cup by beating Australia II in today's fourth race, the closest of the series...
...Diego-based company that has sold 72 of its $3,520 mini-12s since it began producing them under license from a British firm in April. Says Richard Seay, a partner in the firm: "The boat is called the Illusion because if you didn't see the skipper's head poking above deck, you'd think it was an actual 12-meter...
...price: $1,925) are faster than the mini-12s, but they are lightweight and prone to tipping. The mini-12s have keels weighted with lead ballast to make them self-righting. So instead of hanging out over the side to keep the boat upright in a stiff breeze, the skipper stays tucked inside the cockpit in roughly the position of someone sitting on a chaise longue. He steers the boat with a foot bar. In addition, the mini-12s boast more sails and ways to adjust them than most small boats. Besides carrying a mainsail and a Genoa...
Whichever American boat is tapped, its skipper will have more to worry about than the novel design of the expected challenger. Australia II's crew is also in superb trim. Once better known for hoisting pints than hoisting sails, the Australians are up at 5:50 each morning for an hour of calisthenics and road work. "The whole thing has become deadly, deadly, deadly serious," says Australia II Executive Director Warren Jones. "We train like commandos." The eleven-man crew enjoys impressive backup support. As Australia II was maneuvering before the start of a race last week, its carbon...
...years of preparation, the contest can founder on the merest wisp of bad luck. But Australia II's performance so far, along with the New York Yacht Club's anguished reaction to that success, has created extraordinary confidence in the Aussie camp. Australia II's skipper, John Bertrand, 36, is already contemplating how Australia will change the rules after it captures the Cup. "If we win," he says, "we're going to make sure all sailcloth must be made of kangaroo hide. Then we are going to fill up a salt lake in the outback...