Yachting: Heavy weather for New Yorkers

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Young America continue to make it complicated for themselves in their efforts to survive the first cruel cut of the America's Cup challengers' elimination war.

The New Yorkers took another body-blow yesterday, losing to an ebullient Stars & Stripes in a bizarre back-to-front race on the Hauraki Gulf.

Before this Louis Vuitton Cup series began, Young America shaped up as certain semifinalists, who were backing themselves to go the whole way.

Now they have lost seven of their past nine races, and seem to be perpetually stuck in seventh place - jostling with the likes of Le Defi France, Abracadabra and Spain.

Young America are by no means out of this regatta, but neither are they making it the comfortable ride they predicted.

Today's bye gives them a chance to go back to the drawing board before meeting arch-rival Paul Cayard and AmericaOne tomorrow. If they lose that race, their encounter with the Spanish on Saturday is looking more each day like a must-win scenario.

AmericaOne are the first confirmed semifinalists, while America True will join them today if they get round the track unopposed in one piece, now that the Swiss have withdrawn.

If Young Australia lose to Abracadabra today, they will be dead in the water.

Dennis Conner's crew still have a few battles to win to be certain of a top-six spot, but last night they were simply bubbling over after their victory.

There was barely a whisper of wind when the race began, and in a slow-motion waltz, Stars & Stripes broke free and left its dance partner still behind the start line almost two minutes after the gun.

Ed Baird, at the wheel of Young America, closed the gap on a tricky first beat, only to be left behind again around the top mark.

A freakish southwesterly wind came roaring in from the city and turned the course on its head. Suddenly the beat became a run, and the boats were flying spinnakers on a leg which should have needed headsails.

Stars & Stripes navigator Peter Isler said he could not remember which leg he was sailing, and needed a piece of paper taped on to his computer to remind him.

Young America showed the speed it is known to have in drawing level on the penultimate leg, but two quick gybes by Stars & Stripes shook them loose again for a win by 27s.

America True had the upper hand over Young Australia at the start line yesterday, and although young skipper James Spithill caught up again in the patchy winds on the first beat, it was a convincing 1m 45s victory.