Mr America’s Cup wants an ETNZ win…

According to the American Scuttlebutt, Denis Conner – the so-called ‘Mr America’s Cup’ – wants Team New Zealand to win back the Auld Mug.

And while many would not agree with Mr Conner’s thoughts, the man who for so long was public enemy number one in New Zealand, is adamant the regatta needs to return down under for the sake of its own future.

“I like what I’m hearing about the possibility of going back to a mono hull and not making it the same circus that we have [in Bermuda],” Conner said in an interview with Rachel Smalley on Newstalk ZB’s Early Edition.

Before the regatta in Bermuda, all of the competing syndicates, except Team New Zealand, agreed to a blueprint for the next two editions of the Cup. It would see the event take place every two years with a belief that entrant numbers will double. But Conner is decidedly against that.

“I think if Oracle wins, we could have another event every year and what would separate the America’s Cup from just being another regatta?” he asked. “It used to be something special and they’ve turned this into a completely different event.”

Conner won the Cup in 1974, 1980, 1987 and 1988 and is widely regarded in sailing circles as the man who essentially took it from an amateur event to professional status. He believes Oracle Team USA’s move to take it to Bermuda has had a detrimental effect.

“Right now they [people] don’t like it,” Conner stated. “There’s not many big boats in Bermuda, the hotels are empty, the TV ratings are bad and the whole thing, I think, will be an economic disaster for Bermuda.”

Conner wants the regatta back in New Zealand.

“People want to go back to what they saw in Auckland with a downtown event, the centre of the America’s Cup, everybody having a great time, lots of people, lots of boats, lots of spectators and I see nothing but good to come out of it.”

Conner also believes this could be the last time Sir Russell Coutts will be involved in the America’s Cup. Coutts, who led Team NZ to its famous victory over Conner’s Young America in 1995 in San Diego, before defending the Cup on the Hauraki Gulf in 2000, is head of the America’s Cup Events Authority and Oracle Team USA.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he hangs up his sailing shoes and retires,” Conner said.

Team NZ are 3-0 ahead of the resumption of racing on June 24.

“I don’t see Oracle coming back with the same miracle they did last time,” Conner said. “I’m already looking for my spot there in the Viaduct.”

Comment:  While many will side with Conner’s desire for a return to monohulls, there are probably many others who can see little future for the highly expensive high speed foiling catamarans being used in the 35th America’s Cup. How often can these boats be used outside of the America’s Cup?

Conner was the man who took on the New Zealanders in the 1988 America’s Cup. The New Zealanders turned up with 90ft monohull, Conner turned up with a 60ft catamaran and became the man who, essentially, caused the end of the 12-metre era

It will be interesting to see where the arguments will take us from here…