Yachting: Conner leaves boat naked to the world

By Suzanne McFadden

Dennis Conner's sassy new blue boat came out of her shed yesterday - without a stitch on.

Conner has remained true to his word - Stars and Stripes will not wear any skirts to cover her nether regions during this America's Cup campaign.

Passers-by in the cup village got a full view of the new boat yesterday, a prelude to her launch party tomorrow afternoon.

Stars and Stripes, dressed only in her midnight blue paint, is the apple of Conner's eye.

"She's the prettiest one here," he coos.

"She's so fair and smooth - there's not a bump on her. We didn't have to use any putty on the hull. This boat has gone perfect from a to z."

He has promised to keep his boat unwrapped while other syndicates go to huge, costly measures to keep their appendages hidden.

"This is my gift back to the people," he said yesterday.

"Why should they have to wait until February to see the boat?

"The event is now. You don't have to wait until the fourth quarter to see the soccer players' legs."

Conner believes he owes it to Kiwis, who over the last 10 years have had an amazing change of heart towards the guy they once loved to hate.

"People here like me. The man in the street will call out 'Hey, Dennis!' and give me the thumbs up," he said.

"But I'm not delusionary. I know they aren't rooting for me to win.

"But I am their overwhelming choice to sail against Team New Zealand."

Conner has a good feeling about this boat, which has yet to touch the water.

He is determined to sail on board her in as many races as he can, sharing the helmsman's role with top American big boat sailor Ken Read.

"If it's the fastest boat by far, I'll hold the wheel and take all the credit - if it's on the slow side, I'll let Ken steer," he jokes.

The undisputed King of the Cup hits back at critics who say he does not appear as serious this time, in his eighth cup campaign.

"Where do they see any weaknesses?

"Our compound is second to none, no matter how much has been spent," he said.

"We haven't seen a much more experienced crew.

"We have a talented design team who came up with the second-fastest boat last time. People who say that are either ignorant or trying to stir things up."

To further Kiwi-US relations, both the New Zealand and United States flags will be raised at the launching ceremony at 3 pm tomorrow, while both country's anthems are played.

Conner's wife Daintry will christen the boat.

Proceedings will be set up so the public get a better view - from the village walkway - than the invited guests.