Conner backs late entries
Dennis Conner believes the late entries of Stars & Stripes and Malta Altus have the ability to be competitive in the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland.
The two syndicates have had their challenges accepted and a further six challenges are being vetted by holders Team New Zealand and the event authority.
The latest developments boosts the challenging fleet to five, though the two newcomers face a game of catchup with heavyweight outfits Luna Rossa, American Magic and Team INEOS UK well into the design and development, with two test boats launched and plenty of simulation work going on.
Conner, who gave his blessing for the Long Beach Yacht Club to use his famous Stars & Stripes banner for their challenge, believes it will come down to money influencing their chances.
He felt it was fitting for Long Beach to finally be ‘‘stepping up’’ to the America’s Cup after being such a driving force in matchracing where Taylor Canning and Mike Buckley, the driving forces behind the syndicate, had starred in the club’s Congressional Cup.
Conner felt the decision to buy a design package off Team New Zealand for the radical new 75-foot foiling monohull was sensible and he was eager to see how the team could tweak that in their build in Michigan.
‘‘They may be a late starter but they have a chance to catch up quickly and they could really be a factor. But of course, we know it is the money,’’ Conner said on his latest webcast.
He was also impressed by the way the Malta challenge had snared British sailor Iain Percy who has had Cup involvement with Sweden’s Artemis Racing for the last two editions in San Francisco and Bermuda.
‘‘Iain is a very experienced guy in all facets of the sport,’’ Conner said.
‘‘He’s a wonderful, wonderful sailor, a world champion in Finns and Star . . . he will be a factor in the final round of the challenger selections series in Auckland.’’
Conner said he was eager to clarify that his loose connection to Auckland 2021 was in name only after Canfield and Buckley lunched with him, explaining their plans and seeking his permission to sail as Stars & Stripes, a name Conner used to win and defend the Auld Mug in one of the most dominant eras of the famous trophy.
‘‘As far as my involvement, I have had the phone ringing off the hook, people saying it’s great to see you back in the America’s Cup. This is not a Dennis Conner effort. They did come and ask my permission to use the Stars & Stripes name which they didn’t really have to. It’s an open market and there are 147 Stars & Stripes names out there. But I said I thought it would be fine.’’