Coronado Eagle, Volume 6, Number 14, 5 April 1995 — What’s Up With The Cup? Controversy, Controversy, Controversy! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

What’s Up With The Cup? Controversy, Controversy, Controversy!

by Dan Mader

If you are a sailing fan you should be incredibly irate right now. If, however, you do not plan your weekends around the America's Cup, then life has probably remained about the same despite the scandals running rampant off Point Loma. Let’s start with the case of the illegal hull. Last time we talked I told you about the unfortunate breaking of Dennis Connors’ Stars & Stripes. Well, there has been some more developments. It seems that when they repaired the boat, the keel was MUCH bigger. Just under 10 millimeters to be exact. This may not appear to be much of a crisis, but to sailing enthusiasts it seemed unjust, immoral, and possibly sacreligious. An international jury was called upon to rule on the issue and they dismissed it, along with other allegations that Stars & Stripes had also changed their mast and ballast. Stars & Stripes then beat the team which had been whining the loudest....America3. This meant there would have to be a sail-off to see who remains in the running.

If all this seems like overkill, that’s because it is. It is neccesary to remember, however, that some people take the Cup very seriously. Imagine the uproar if a team in the Super Bowl used illegal equipment and won. Well, this is the Super Bowl of sailing. One more item of interest. The loss suffered by Americas prevented them from advancing directly. Tliey lost early due to poor driving which gave them a late start. The person driving was none other than Dave Dellenbaugh. The sole man on the crew' of Mighty Mary. He was late by 5S seconds. The most his predecessor was late by was 27 seconds. This may seem trivial, but the importance lies in the personnel change. Dellenbaugh’s predecessor was J.J. Isler, a woman, and original member of what used to be the all-female Americas. Way to go Bill Koch. By the next time you hear from me, one boat will have been eliminated from the Cup. That is, unless one team breaks a rule, the weather prevents racing, or aliens abduct Dennis Connor. The latter would

probably be most exciting, but I will report any eventuality.

So, tune in next time for more boats, scandal, and possibly little green men.

Photo by Frank Grundman

Tactician John Kostecki helms Young America during the pre-start maneuvers in their race against Stars & Stripes, with navigator Robert Hopkins looking on. This was the first race that skipper Kevin Mahoney was not on the boat. Young America went on to win the race, with Bruce Nelson helming during the race.